"Angkor Wat - My recent visit" Topic

I just arrived back from a trip to Cambodia and Vietnam and had the opportunity to see Angkor Wat at Siem Reap. Prior to my trip, my knowledge of Angkor Wat was primarily with the movies (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Tomb Raider). More recently, my interests were with the bas relief carvings of Suryavarman II's military procession. We had a wonderful private tour of the complex and its history from the 12th century through the Vietnam War and Khmer Rouge. The history of Cambodia can be seen in the scars left on the temple. It is the world's largest religious monument in the world – 500 acres in total (and that's just one temple in Siem Reap). I've added a few pictures on my blog and will add more of the military procession shortly.

Best,
Steve

nycjadie.wordpress.com

Yup, it's definitely worth a visit – in the mornings and evenings if you can't stand the sun, or in the afternoon if you can't stand the crowds.

The relief images depicting the armies of Suryavarman II and Jayavarman VII have been examined in detail in Michel Jacq-Hergoualc'h's excellent "The Armies of Angkor: Military Stucture and Weaponry of the Khmers" (available from the following link):

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Thanks for posting Steve, the pics look great. I'm trying to convince the wife we need to schedule a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia next year.

I want to go to Saigon to eat here:

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D~

Thanks Don. It was a great trip. Safety was a non-issue, but you might consider anti-malaria medication in Cambodia. The food was phenomenal! The French left their pasty traditions in Indochine. A French chef that we befriended in Cambodia, and who took us on a tour of the local markets, told us that the pastries are better than in Paris. Having had both, I'd say the statement was pretty accurate. Of course, the Vietnamese food is also amazing. It was our second trip to Vietnam. The country is fast changing as the economy is picking up there. If I could do it over again, I'd spend a few more days in Siem Reap and see the lesser temples.

And here I am after reading this over my morning tea and veggie burger. You people are KILLING ME with a three-fer; Angkor Wat, Franco-Vietnamese pastries, and the cuisine of The Lunch Lady.

Some days a man should just stay the Hell in bed…

Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net