August 24, 2013

Siem Reap, Cambodia - Part III

As I mentioned in my previous post,
we spent a full morning exploring around Angkor Wat, 
after which we made our way through the city gates of Angkor Thom,
to take in four other temples that were high on our priority list. 

Bayon Temple was the first on our list. 
Often competing with Angkor Wat as a tourist top favorite,
Bayon was breathtaking in its own right. 
The structure's most distinct feature is the collection of massive stone faces on the many towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak. 
Exchanging eskimo kisses with one of the Bayon residents. 
The weather in Siem Reap was INCREDIBLY hot on this day,
and unfortunately the surrounding trees offered little relief. 
We powered through the next two temples - 
climbing to the top of each (barely),
taking in the sights, and quickly retreating back down. 
Can you see the resting Buddha above?
After taking a much needed lunch break,
in an air-conditioned restaurant no less,
we were off to discover the last temple of the day. 
Ta Prohm may have been my favorite temple,
not because I pictured myself as swift as Angelina Jolie as I climbed through those ruins,
(Ta Prohm is the main temple where the movie Tomb Raider was filmed),
but because of the incredible effect that the overgrown trees gave to the historical sight. 
I'm getting hot just thinking back to this day.. 
but oh my goodness what I would give to be there right now!

natasha

3 comments:

Sara Christensen said...

This looks phenomenal!

Nicole Marie said...

WOW i have never been or seen anything like that!

Bailey Schneider said...

What an enchanting and magical place! It looks amazing!
Much love, Bailey from Vanilla Blonde