At 0 dark thirty we're in the tuk tuk on the way to watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Us and about a thousand others! The water is one side of a moat that completely surrounds the Angkor Wat (the whole complex of temples is called Angkor Wat so it can be confusing). Our guest house host tells us that this is about 30% of the viewers that show up during 'high' season. The best story is of someone wading into the moat up to their thighs, holding their camera up to get a shot without any reflections of people in it!
This morning it's overcast (makes for a much nicer visit but not such a great sunrise).
People started leaving about now so we concluded this was 'it'. Okay, time for a trip across the moat into the temple. Uncharacteristically, this temple faces west, leading some scholars to speculate that it was built as a final resting place for the King.
This temple is one of the latest in the whole complex and reflects the transition from the Hinduism of the builder ruler to the Buddhism of later rulers.
One portion of a very long panel (100+ feet long) that depicts various conquests of its builder (Jayavarman VII?)
The long portico at the front of the temple.
And the part of the temple reflecting the Buddhist transformation . . . including an on-site monk selling incense.
Inside the outer walls, a spectacular interior.
Another view of one of the outer wall structures.
And a couple of views of the wall.
This morning it's overcast (makes for a much nicer visit but not such a great sunrise).
People started leaving about now so we concluded this was 'it'. Okay, time for a trip across the moat into the temple. Uncharacteristically, this temple faces west, leading some scholars to speculate that it was built as a final resting place for the King.
This temple is one of the latest in the whole complex and reflects the transition from the Hinduism of the builder ruler to the Buddhism of later rulers.
One portion of a very long panel (100+ feet long) that depicts various conquests of its builder (Jayavarman VII?)
And the part of the temple reflecting the Buddhist transformation . . . including an on-site monk selling incense.
An area believed to be part of the library.
Inside the outer walls, a spectacular interior.
Another view of one of the outer wall structures.
And a couple of views of the wall.
And the long view, pink blouse and water lilies . . .
Definitely time for that second cup of coffee . . . off to the temple-side cafe.
There are even touts who recruit you to their cafe tables . . . all imaginatively named.
And even more people (and children) attempting to sell stuff to tourists. I know, I know I'm starting to sound like I'm beating a drum here, but we've heard over and over that teachers make the equivalent to about $80 a month and they can only afford to 'work' about an hour a day. Anything over that is 'private' and paid out of a parent's pocket. There aren't too many people in this poor country who can afford that so we see all these school-age children out of school . . .
The sun is well up, we're well spent, once again overwhelmed with the wonders of AW . . . our lovely tuk tuk driver, Rom, is all set to take us to the rest of the temples on the 'short tour' and I'm sure we disappoint him by telling him we're ready to head home! We can see the others tomorrow . . . for now, we need food and a nap.
