Cambodia, Siam Reap

Angkor Wat Temple

Our trip to Siam Reap, Cambodia was a wonderful experience which included learning the history of Cambodia and exploring the ancient temples.  Our guide was fantastic.  Not only did he teach us the history of the temples, but we learned of his personal experience living through the reign of Pol Pot and the devastation he and his family went through.

We spent most of our time exploring the area of Angkor, which is the region that served as the seat of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to 13th centuries.  There are more than 70 temples in Angkor and they were built over 1000 years ago.  The temples were either Buddhist or Hindu, depending on the king reigning during the time the temple was built.   By the end of the 15th century, the temples were abandoned as the King relocated to Phnom Penh.   Over the years, the temples were largely forgotten by the people and the jungle grew and completely covered the temples.   It wasn't until the late 19th century that French archeologists began to explore the area and uncover the ancient temples.  Restoration of the temples has taken place since the early 1900's.

It is difficult to describe in words the detail that went into each of these temples.  There were carvings on almost every stone and ancient sanskrit writing everywhere.  The temples are still being restored today.  Restoration includes strengthening the foundations, finding the stones, and piecing them together like a puzzle.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Thom:  It is difficult to tell from this picture, but each point on the castle has a buddha on each of the four sides.

Angkor Thom

Banteay Srei Temple was made largely of sandstone and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

This gives a good view of the detail in each piece of sandstone.  Flat Stanley really enjoyed these close-up views!

Each temple was different.  This one was made largely of sandstone.

The famous Ta Prohm temple where the movie Tomb Raider was filmed.  

This pile of stones on the left are pieces that have not been put back together yet.

Ta Prohm was built as a Buddhist Monastery and University.  It is unique among the temples because it has been left in much the same condition in which it was found.

Other Highlights of the trip:


1.  Tuk Tuk ride through Siam Reap.

Most tourists travel in Tuk Tuk's.  Most locals drive motorcycles.  The traffic in Siam Reap seemed tame compared to Vietnam.

2.  Getting Buddhist prayer bracelet at Angkor Wat.

3. Buying souvenirs from the Cambodian children.

The girls bought many bracelets from this six-year-old girl on our way into the temple.

We bought bananas from this woman at the floating village.

4. Having our first-ever fish massages in Siam Reap.

Kate loved the fish massage and was the only one who could keep her feet in for an extended period of time.

5.  Our wonderful guide Sopanha.

6.  We all enjoyed traveling with our new friends, the Monroy's.  The kids were delighted to have Olivia along to keep them company while exploring the temples.