Siem Reap- Angkor Wat

For the Cambodians Siem Reap is famous for two things. The name itself means Siamese Defeated. Previously Thailand was called Siam from which ""Siem is derived. In times Siam (Now Thailand) dominated this land and during one of these wars the Cambodians defeated the Thais right here.

The rest of the world knows this place for only one thing: Angkor Wat

The Angkor Wat temples are not only world famous but also the largest temple complex on the planet. There are several very large complexes all built in slightly different styles but still have the connection to the main complex which measures about 1 km by 800 meters. They where constructed about around 850 years ago as Hindu temples and later transformed to serve the Buddhist faith. It is estimated that during the building stage 300.000 people were employed. Their heavy machinery came in the form of several thousand elephants. Angkor means Capitol; Wat means Temple.

Yesterday we visited three of them. The site opens at 6 am. A bit of advice for anyone thinking about going there is to be there at the time when it opens in the morning (6 am), to avoid the heat and the crowds as well. The heat is the main problem. By 8.30 am the temperature rises into the thirties, around 11 o'clock you can expect around 40 degrees between the temples where the air does not move and the heat is bounced back between the buildings.

Angkor is a “ must see before you die” event, there is no doubt about that. The architecture is
amzazing. The main temples stand out from the rest for another reason;

The temple is the heart and soul of Cambodia. It is the national symbol, the epicentre of Khmer civilisation and a source of fierce national pride. Soaring skyward and surrounded by a moat that would make its European castle counterparts blush, Angkor Wat is one of the most inspired and spectacular monuments ever conceived by the human mind. Unlike the other Angkor monuments, it was never abandoned to the elements and has been in virtually continuous use since it was built.

I could probably write 8 A4 sheets about this amazing place but think it best to end it here and let you enjoy the story by means of the photographs.