Angkor WHAT?!

Angkor Wat is just one of the many temples located in the Angkor archaeological area outside of Siem Reap. This 500 acre complex has different temples built in the 11th and 12th century. Angkor Wat was built over 30 years the first half of 12th century.  Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindu temple, but became a Buddhist temple in the 14th century and Buddha statues were added.

This iconic location was challenging to navigate unless you had your own transportation - which we did.  The more adventurous tourists took elephant rides or bicycles to get around even some of the temples.

proof we are here!

sunset at Angkor Wat

hanging out at the temple in traditional clothes

got it!

the original steps up

the Hindu stories of the beginning of the earth and people cover all the walls

a cast of thousands

a view from within the walls of the temple

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finding an apsara

seen during the day...in the heat of December!

more views inside the walls

sunrise

early riser was there before the sun

detailed carvings around every corner, + apsaras!

On day 2, we got up at 4:30am to make it to Angkor Wat for sunrise. A peaceful early  morning with 200 other crazy tourists. The really nice part was that we could walk around without crowds, without the noise of tour guides, without waiting in lines to get into temples.  I got to see even more apsaras!

every apsara is different! But all have big bosoms! 

another set of apsaras with different headdresses and shapes

example of the detailed carvings - see apsara in filigri

not an apsara!!

more apsaras - notice the fabric designs and different arm positions