Angkor, Cambodia

Prasat Kravan- built in 921, this temple is the only known example of its type in Khmer art...it was the last temple we went to and we were exhausted by this time

Srah Srang-built in the mid 10th century and remodeled in the late 12th century.  The lake has retained its water for more than nine centuries

Ta Prohm-built in the late 12th century.  This is where the movie "Tomb Raider" was filmed.  This was probably our favorite of all the temples.  The temple was chosen to be left in its 'natural state' as an example of how most of Angkor looked on its discovery by Europeans in the 19th century.  It shows the significant amount of work that must be done to prevent further collapsing.  

James (from Australia) and I being part of the tree in Ta Prohm

Bri reenacting Tomb Raider in Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm

Me being a dork as usual

Ta Prohm

Ta Keo-built in the late 10th century.  This temple mountain was never finished because it was struck by lightning and thought to be bad luck.  It's one of the only temples that isn't covered in carvings which all tell a story.  It's a lot higher than it looks

Ta Keo again

Chao Say Tevoda-built in the middle 12th century 

Bri in front of Thommanon-built in the 12th century

The Bayon-built in the 12th century, but construction probably started around 1200.  Bri's climbing to the top

The Bayon again-this was another one of our favorites.  The temple has tons of faces carved into the stone, so his subjects would always feel they were being watched

Bri couldn't help himself 

Ceremonial Khmer garb

"It's really big"

One of the many faces at The Bayon

You can see the faces in the top of the tower

Bri and James outside the Bayon

Lee, our tuk-tuk driver. He took us around the temples all day (5 am-3 pm, yes, we actually got up at 5!) for $15.

Guardian heads outside the south gate of Angkor Thom

The south gate of Angkor Thom

Angkor Wat at sunrise- built between 1113-1150.  The name means 'the city which became a pagoda'.  It was the grandest of all Khmer temples and considered a city in itself.  Very impressive

Bri and I are sleepy but happy we got our butts out of bed so early

There are tons of monkeys around Angkor Wat. This is a mohawked one who wasn't afraid to get close.  We also some got some great footage on video

Inside Angkor Wat

Showing the size of Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Us missing Sam and Iain

The sun's up now

Carvings 

Bri posing with an invisible Sam

Trying to show the enormous size of Angkor Wat, it goes on forever!

With James (Australia) and Alex (Austria) after touring Angkor Wat