Angkor Wat was built in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple. Angkor Wat itself is an offering to the Hindu god Vishnu. Many of the temples were later changed to respect the Buddhist religion, but traces of both are still prominent in the structure and temple carvings.
While Angkor Wat often regarded as the mother temple, the total number of Angkor temples in the area numbers over a thousand! While we were there, we managed only 20 or so! Many of the temples were partially of fully destroyed during the reign of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge and are undergoing reconstruction today. Some have simply been damaged over the years, but are left in a state of unsteady beauty.
All I can say is...the photo's give so little.
Ta Prohm, where Tomb Raider was filmed!
Angkor Wat from the back.
Elephants to cart fat, lazy tourists up the hill to a temple. We were too poor to ride.
The centre of Angkor Wat.
Bayon- the temple of 216 faces. Also the final state temple to be built, and primarily dedicated to Buddhism!
Ta Prohm and Gaz.
Us at Bayon.
Banteay Kdei- the temple of carvings.
Gaz ruining a Kodak moment by eating...At Sras Srang temple on the water!
Pondering what to have for lunch while looking over Angkor Wat.
Sras Srang.
Angkor Wat.
The moat protecting Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat.
The sunrise series. We got up at 4am to take these!
Bayon in the burning sun!
