Angkor Wat

Hello followers! Here is an update from Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Tuk Tuk Driver in town- usually only costing $1 USD  

The evening after our cooking class, Ash and I played some miniature golf. The course had miniature replicas of Angkor Wat- A little preview for what was to come the next day. 

Before the Temples, Ash and I had breakfast in the Old Market Area of the city. 

The Temple Complex is 8k or 5 miles from the city center. Many people use Tuk Tuks or Bikes to get there, but we found this tandem irresistible.  

A quick 15 minute ride from the city center and we came across the most famous of the Temple complex, Angkor Wat. 

Angkor Wat was constructed in the early 12th century for King Suryavarman II. The Temple is surrounded by a exterior wall measuring 1300x1500 meters as well as a large moat. The city of Siem Reap provides free tourists information books full of information on each Temple site within the complex. 

Ash outside one of the exterior entrances

A boy on the moat singing and dancing to "Gangam Style" 

The towers of Angkor Wat are truly incredible. The green tarp covers an area where restoration is currently taking place. 

Inside the Ancient Temple 

The steps are very steep and narrow. Ash laughed while I took my time down. 

These monkeys were lounging outside our next temple stop within the complex,Bayon.  

Bayon was constructed in the late 12th century for King Jayavarman VII.  

More wild monkeys- This guy was feeding them. 

Incredible detailed carvings on the outside walls of Bayon depict an epic battle. 

The tops of the towers that make up Bayon are actually faces. Can you see them? 

One on the right side of me. 

One behind Ash. 

Bayon even has a reclining Buddha! 

Just a short bike ride away was our next stop, Terrace of the Elephants. I'm sitting between their trunks. 

Many tourists hire Tuk Tuks that were speeding up and down the roads. 

At one side of the Terrace of the Elephants, sat Baphuou, built in the Mid 11th century. 

This shows one restored statue compared to one original statue. 

Ash- Check out this bum. 

Also behind the Terrace of the Elephants, Preah Pith built in the early 12th century. 

Our ride! 

The entrance of Ta Prohm- the site where Tomb Raider was filmed. 

Massive silk-cotton and fig trees have over taken the temple ruins, creating a really cool jungle atmosphere. 

This tree was supported by a man made support bean just to the left. Its roots were massive and overtaking this large wall. 

Thick Jungle water surrounding the temple. 

 After completing a short loop around the Temple Complex on our tandem bike, Ash and I returned to Angkor Wat before heading into town to see the sunset. 

Our view across the moat. 

Bye bye Bike. 

Across from our hotel is a place for locals to watch TV- Dozens of lawn chairs set to face a few flat screens upfront. When we walked by they were watching fake wrestling. 

A frog next to our hotel room 

I am so happy to visit another Asian KFC. 

... Not. 

Breakfast from a second story cafe after KFC. 

We departed Siem Reap that evening at 8:00pm on a sleeper bus South towards the beaches! These would never be street legal in New Zealand or the United States. 

We are now in Sihanoukvile enjoying the sunshine! More posts to come! 

-Jackie & Ash