We anticipated that today would be one of the highlights of our 4 week adventure. It did not disappoint!
We had booked a cycle tour of Angkor Wat and had in our minds that we were to be escorted to the site and quite literally tour the complex on bikes. We were collected from our hotel and escorted to the in-town office of the tour provider. The guide, who was delightful, great company, and very knowledgeable, introduced us to our cycle helmets and our bikes, and we were off. Yes, we cycled there (8kms), walked around Angkor Wat, cycled to Bayon temple (maybe the same again kms), and then on to the next site (featured in Tomb Raider), and then on to our lunch destination (another 3 or 4kms). We cycled a lot!! Don’t get me wrong, we loved the day, learned a lot, and had one hell of a workout in balmy conditions in the meanwhile. So, be aware of just what you are signing up for. Otherwise known as, pay more attention to the detail!
The pictures posted here probably don’t do the site justice, or convey its magnificence.
Angkor Wat
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple was remarkable for the carvings on the stone, everywhere, in mind-boggling scale. Our guide, Roem, was able to explain, in very good English, the stories or the meanings behind the intricate stone depictions.
Ta Prohm Temple
The temple that featured in ‘Tomb Raider’, apparently famous for its ‘Angelina Jolie’ (Lara Croft) tree, was indeed wrapped around by ancient trees and their roots.
Interestingly, Roem did pause to show us a good and visible example of just how the stone pieces are/were locked together.
One of the walls in the Bayon temple depicted, in fine detail, how the building was constructed and what tools were used in the process. It also evidenced the fact that the sand base foundation was tampered down by teams of men.
The second picture (magnified) features the King seeking permission from one of the gods for the building of the temple. Seeking planning permission, if you will!
I thought I should include here an aerial shot (courtesy of National Geographic) that provides a view I was unable to conjure up.
The fellah above was keeping his eye on proceedings and was not fazed by any one of us.
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