Today, we have seen three things: Temples, temples and … temples. Read on…

I have to admit that it was worth it. The Angkor Temples, which received the title Unesco World Heritage, are really a unique experience. First some history, feel free to skip if you’re not interested :-)

In 802, King Suryvarman II united the warring clans in Cambodia, and the Khmer Empire was born. It was one of the most powerful countries in south-east Asia, and in it’s prosperity it built many temples, irrigation systems and other infrastructure. The Angkor Temples were thus built from the 9th century onwards, with buildings being added until the 15th century. Then, the Siamese invaded the country, and the city of Angkor Thom with the surrounding temples was forgotten. Jungle overgrew the structures until they were “rediscovered” by the French in the 19th century.

One thing that is extraordinary is the sheer size of the temples. To reach Angkor Wat, for example, visitors traverse a 100m long stone bridge across the pond which surrounds the temple. The outer temple wall first prevents you from seeing the full scale of the place. Upon entering the doorway, a vast plane unfolds before you, with the famous three roofs of the temple in the distance…

The second astonishing fact is that almost every stone is somehow decorated. Giant stone faces smile from the towers of the Bayon Temple, dancing women are magnificiently carved into the walls, stones above the doors depict scenes from the Ramayana and other Buddhist or Hindu legends, three-headed elephants carry mythical figures, war scenes cover hundreds of square meters of temple walls, and no small pillar is too modest to not be ornamented with stone leaves, Garuda or Naga shapes or other deities…

It’s also worth mentioning that Buddhism and Hinduism quite happily coexist in these temples. While the first were built after Hindu tradition, the later King Jayavarman VII converted to Buddhism, and a lot of Buddha statues can thus be found in the temples, some of them venerated until today.

Two Tuk Tuk drivers accompanied us during the whole day, taking us along the “small tour” from one sight to the other until about five in the evening. The sun, the walking around and constantly saying “no, thank you” or “dtay, or-koon” to children selling flutes, postcards and bracelets really make you tired. All of our group were happy to return to our inn, take a shower and have a nice traditional meal in one of the small restaurants near the hotel. Nobody of us will go to sleep too late today, as we will need our forces for another day of sightseeing tomorrow. Thus, this story is

to be continued…