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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Angkor Wat

Hot air balloon rides!
Famous Angkor Wat wall carvings.
Quick note - this picture shows what unregulated tourists do - this crappy horse scratch is clearly not hundreds of years old.
Umbrella for the unrelenting sun.
Front of Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat means "Temple City" or "City of Temples" in Khmer.  It was first built as a Hindu temple complex by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century and was dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.  It was later converted into a Buddhist complex and today it is the largest religious monument in the world.  Angkor Wat is only one of the many temples in a huge complex that covers many square miles starting about 15 miles north of Siem Riep - even more smaller temple complexes lie to the east and south of the city.  Unlike other temples, Angkor Wat faces to the west, though we don't know exactly why.  It is the best-preserved temple in the area. The temple has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on the national flag and on their best beer (in our opinion).  It is definitely Cambodia's primary attraction.


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