I'll start off by talking about getting sick. I came down with something when we returned to our hotel after our first day touring the temples. It was a long day and I'm very thankful that if I was going to get sick it happen after that day. It started with chills (which feels quite strange in a hot country) and a mild cough and turned into a full blown fever, nausea, headache, cough, etc. I tried to be a trouper but really, at moments i'm sure I was just a big baby. Anyway, the reason for this blog is not to complain, I just thought I'd offer a little explanation for the delay in this entry.
This will be the second day in my "sponsorship" series. My great aunt Elisabeth who has been so supportive made this possible. I should also mention, as Elisabeth is Belgian, that our guide told us that to Cambodians, all white people are considered "French" as they were the first white people to come into their land. Thank you Elisabeth, this really was incredible!
We began our visit to Angkor Wat at 5 am when our guide picked us up at our hotel and took us to see the main temple at sunrise. It's really incredible at this hour because you can see it's reflection in the manmade pool underneath it. Every day, no matter the season, hundreds of tourists come to this point at this early hour to see this incredible vision.
I'm not sure if this picture, or any of the subsequent pictures of these monuments do them justice, but to give you an idea...
We then went on to Angkor Thom, which is an enclosed city from the tenth century which boasted a population of over a million people at a time when London only had close to 50,000.
On the left side of the entrance gate, 54 gods lined the way. (above) on the right side, 54 demons lined the way. Together this makes 108. 9 is a holy number. 5+4=9, 1+0+8=9. (see, I'm keeping up with my studies...). The total geek in me had to point put that 108 is also a very important number to anyone who spent years of their lives watching "lost".
The Cambodian country went back and forth between Hinduism and Buddsm for centuries. Angkor Thom started off a Buddha temple but when the country converted during one regime, the king in power ordered that all likenesses of Buddha be moved. There are still many places where you can visibly see their removal.
Buddha used be in here...
What I was impressed with was the story that surrounded the wall of Angkor Thom. It depicted everything from the king to the common folk, warfare to childbirth. And it was so well preserved!
Part of the story of warfare. The Cambodian people are depicted by the long ears and short haircuts. The little guy in the middle was a jester brought along for entertainment.
Food preparation.
This wife is holding a turtle to bite her husbands butt because he is looking at other women. Alex is thinking about getting a turtle for home just in case.
I think the last time I was this I pressed by how well preserved something so detailed was was in the brothels of Pompeii.
The three of us in front of Angkor Thom. (Alex and Cooper really are melding into one person...)
Originally the French (who "discovered" these temples) thought Angkor Thom was a Hindu temple for Brahma because each peak has four faces, as Brahma has four head. However, there are no temples for Brahma (only the other two main Hindu gods - Visnu and Shiva).
We proceeded to see A LOT more. It all really stared to blend together and I'm not completely sure that everything I say from here on out will be 100% accurate...
There are two pogodas in the angkor Wat area where many monks study and pray.
Another temple... (see what I mean about things blending together)
Entry way to the jungle temple...
The "tomb raider" shot. An awesome example of how powerful nature is.
At one time, each of these holes was filled with a gemstone.
Pesky monkeys everywhere.
Our last stop of the day was back to Angkor Wat.
The story of "the sea of milk" which depicted a story about the demons and gods attempting to make an immortality amulet. The gods win and that is what made them all powerful.
A view of one of the five towers.
Level three looking down at level two. It's hard to tell in pictures how crazy the scale is of this place.
What a day!
When we began talking about Angkor Wat, it became pretty clear that we wanted a tour guide. Not knowing much, and unable to find any great recommendations on trip advisor, Cooper took to the great wide web and found one through a service. We weren't sure what we were going to get. We couldnt have lucked out more than we did with Cheat (pronounced CHEE-at). He was kind, knowledgeable, had the most endearing laugh. We felt like we were in the best hands both days. Plus, he brought with him an air conditioned van and driver. This was clutch (and if you ever plan on going, especially in the hot season, definitely worth a little extra).
Cheat explaining parts of a story.
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Worth waiting for. You are living.
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