Had a wonderful if exhausting day here in Siem Reap. Started with a predawn trip to Ankgor Wat. Unfortunately the sunrise revealed the seemingly ubiquitous tourist attraction scaffolding. Nevertheless an awesome sight. Phenomenal bas reliefs on every imaginable surface of the extensive temple structures.
Next on to Ta Prohm (tho' don't hold me to the spelling as we're at the bar again and far away from a guide book). This place (see the photo) is famous for appearing with Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider. Tiny in comparison to Angkor but the French decided long ago to allow the jungle to have its way with the site - to create some pretty amazing effects. Guess they were looking ahead to the film industry even then.
Wanted to escape the crowds (there was a marathon here today and no we didn't run) so we veered off the typical tour and went north to Banteray srei (again, probably wrong) which is another small complex but of pink sandstone with very delicate detailed carvings.
Finally finished up at Angkor Thom of the 54 towers with 216 large, carved, beatific faces fame. Very cool but we were exhausted from climbing up and down and up and down and up and down and.....
So here we are at dinner. Will post more photos later. But having a great time.
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