Angkor Wat and then some

My main reason for heading over to Siem Reap was to explore Angkor Wat. It turns out that if that were all I actually saw (and in my ignorance, I thought it was the only attraction), despite its magnificence I would have really missed out. As Joc mentioned in her posting, the "city" of Angkor is comprised of over 100 temples. I won't say too much since she's done a great job of synopsising our explorations, but I've posted a few more pictures below.

I've really enjoyed my brief visit to Cambodia. (I did have a brief moment at the airport when we flew in where I wasn't sure I'd be let into the country because my passport pages are full. The immigration/customs guy definitely paused at each page wondering where he could stamp and gave me looks. A sign that I need to go home??) The food has been surprisingly good and nice on the stomachs considering friends who pit-stopped here earlier this summer suggested that "everyone gets at least a little sick in Cambodia" and they all had; the people have been great, friendly, and helpful; and the city has thrived from tourism. The Siem Reap Airport opened a year ago, new palatial hotels are being built, and signs of improvements to infrastructure are everywhere. I guess "thrived from tourism" has good and bad connotations. For the most part, and from conversations with our Angkor guide and my airport driver, it's been a positive in raising people's standards of living and casting light on the atrocities committed by the Khmer regime under Pol Pot, but a negative in the congestion and change of ways (e.g., muting of traditions) that is has also brought.

Angkor Wat

Carl being accosted by kids

One of the many faces at Bayon

Carl making out

Almost hidden by the trees

Beware of trees and their roots...

Setting of Tomb Raider

Angkor Wat and then some

Siemreab, Cambodia