Cambodia: The Temples
The morning after our arrival in Thailand, Isaac joined us for a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, where the famous Angkor Wat temple stands.
Sunrise at Angkor Wat
We were soon to learn that this is just one of over 200 temples in the area.
Prasat Kravan:
Prasat Kravan, built in 921 A.D.
Solin was our guide during our visit to this beautiful country, and she was the highlight of our time there. Her knowledge of these 1,000-year-old temples and the mythological stories they celebrated brought them to life for us. Through her we learned the history of the Khmer Empire and were able to imagine the daily life of the people.
Solin, Michele and Glenn inside Prasat Kravann. Vishnu, riding the eagle-god Garuda, is depicted in bas relief on the wall behind them.
Ta Prohm and Ta Nei:
Many of the ancient temples of Cambodia were unknown to the west until about a hundred years or so ago, and several are still overgrown with trees. Although Ta Prohm has undergone a lot of restoration recently, Ta Nei is still in the same condition that it has been in for many centuries. Both temples are striking for the ancient trees growing over and through them.
The temple of Ta Prohm, built 1300 A.D., was the setting for the movie "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider."
Michele and Glenn, relaxing at Ta Prohm . . .
. . . while Isaac takes our picture through one of the spectacular tree roots.
Ta Prohm is well known and had many tourists when we visited. Ta Nei, on the other hand, is off the beaten track and not well known to tourists. The morning we visited it, we had the temple all to ourselves.
Ta Nei, built around the same time, looks much as it has for centuries.
