Cambodia: Angkor Wat Temples

Visiting Angkor Wat and the other surrounding temples is what brought us to Cambodia. We had wanted to visit there before leaving Asia, and we were so excited to finally have the opportunity! We had heard that Siem Reap is known as the "Disney World" of temples...with over 100 temples in the area. It was unbelievable how big and intricate all the temples were. We visited the temples each morning in order to beat the afternoon heat (close to 100F).

Angkor Wat: This is the most famous temple and the largest temple in the WORLD! This was one of the finalists for becoming one of the 7 Wonders of the World, but surprisingly didn't make the cut. We really enjoyed walking around here for a couple hours and found it to be one of the most amazing places we've ever been.

This temple is what brings tourists to Cambodia and is the country's symbol, even appearing on its national flag (below). It was built between 1113-1150 (which took 37 years to build)! Angkor Wat was built for king Suryavarman II as his state temple and capital city. It was first built as a religious center for the Hindu, then dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist.

Melissa with some of the Apsara dancers in Angkor Wat.

We stopped for a while to cool down with a fresh coconut drink straight from the tree.

Frank finishing off the coconut.

Angkor Thom: After leaving Angkor Wat, we met our Tuk Tuk driver who drove us to the next temple, Angkor Thom. During the drive, we passed an elephant walking down the side of the rode!

On our way to Angkor Thom.

Beware of elephant crossing!

Crossing this bridge and going through the huge sculpture up ahead is the entrance to the temple.

The many sculptures lining the bridge leading up to the Angkor Thom temple complex.

Angkor Thom: Bayon

This temple was built nearly 100 years after Angkor Wat. We found this temple absolutely fascinating because of the 2,000 faces carved into the temple towers.

Us inside the Angkor Thom temple.

Faces on all four sides of the tower.

Melissa walking through the temple.

So amazing!

Angkor Thom- Bayon

Video: Here's a video of us riding on a tuk tuk passed one of the temples.

Ta Prohm: This temple was another one of our favorites! It was built in 1186 and is unique because of the huge trees growing out of the ruins that have taken over the temple. Also, the jungle surrounding it has made it one of Angkor's most popular temples.

One of the many trees growing in the temple.

The trees surrounding the temple were huge!

One of the trees growing out of the roof of Ta Prohm.

Preah Khan: We really enjoyed this temple because it was less crowded than the rest. It was built in 1191 and was similar to Ta Prohm because of the numerous trees growing out of the ruins.

Preah Khan- inside the temple

This temple was flat with many simple, rectangular galleries.

One of the trees growing in the ruins.

Frank enjoying a pineapple on a stick.

Banteay Srei: This temple was completed in 967 and was the only temple in Angkor NOT built for the king.

This temple is located 23 miles north of Angkor Wat, but took us an hour and a half to travel from our hotel by tuk tuk! Traveling a total of 3 hours on the tuk tuk allowed us to take some great pictures of local people we passed (see our next blog: "The Faces of Cambodia").

The temple consists of low walls surrounding tall structures of deep red sandstone.

The carvings were so intricate. Banteay Srei means "Citadel of Women," and it is said that the reliefs on this temple are so delicate that they could only have been carved by the hand of a woman.

We were surprised it was so crowded with tourists because it was so far away from the other temples!

This is a video of some land mine victims playing instruments at the temple.

We passed this temple on the way back to Siem Reap. It was so amazing just riding passed beautiful structures like this! Traveling around this area was like driving through an outdoor museum...unbelievable!