Many might think Cambodia an odd place to visit. The country was severely bombed by the U.S. in the Vietnam War, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge took over thereafter and killed millions and the country has yet to really become democratic and modernized. While all of this is true, Cambodia has a gem (and money-maker) in Angkor Wat, a huge temple complex located near Siem Reap. While most of the country may live in poverty, Siem Reap is a modernized town completely populated with hotels, restaurants and white faces. In fact, everything here is priced in U.S. Dollars and ATMs spit out greenbacks. No joke... I've never seen anything like it. It's almost like being at home, except the ATMs give you hundred dollar bills, the heat is intense and a good draft beer is only fifty cents.
Angkor Wat, which was our destination today, is a massive temple complex that is roughly 1,000 years old. It is arguably the largest temple complex in the world. The site is a series of temples and was the capital of the region when it was built. However, the Khmer completely abandoned Angkor Wat in the 1660s and moved the capital to its present site in Phnom Penh. Though there were rumors of a mythical religious complex in the jungle - much like an Atlantis or El Dorado - this site lay abandoned for 200 years until a Frenchman haphazardly re-discovered it in the 1860s. The entire complex is spread across hundreds of acres, includes dozens upon dozens of temples and literally is in the middle of the jungle. Most temples are still standing, yet many have begun to fall apart - that's what 1,000 years of erosion and 90 years of French occupation will do. All of the structures were built without cement or mortar, just interlocking stone.
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat, which was our destination today, is a massive temple complex that is roughly 1,000 years old. It is arguably the largest temple complex in the world. The site is a series of temples and was the capital of the region when it was built. However, the Khmer completely abandoned Angkor Wat in the 1660s and moved the capital to its present site in Phnom Penh. Though there were rumors of a mythical religious complex in the jungle - much like an Atlantis or El Dorado - this site lay abandoned for 200 years until a Frenchman haphazardly re-discovered it in the 1860s. The entire complex is spread across hundreds of acres, includes dozens upon dozens of temples and literally is in the middle of the jungle. Most temples are still standing, yet many have begun to fall apart - that's what 1,000 years of erosion and 90 years of French occupation will do. All of the structures were built without cement or mortar, just interlocking stone.
Angkor Thom
Very cool!
ReplyDelete