Finally, the stunning 'Angkor Wat'. This temple is part of the national psyche. It appears on the Cambodian flag, and is the basis for the national beer, 'Angkor'.

The temple is massive. After crossing a wide moat you enter a gatehouse. Beyond is a vaste grass plain. Crossing the plain to get to the temple itself. At the centre of the temple are 5 tall towers. Walls surround the inner complex and contain the magnificant bas relief galleries.

I spent about 6 hours at Angkor Wat, on three return visits. Walking the corridors is like walking the halls of power - this was the centre of the Khmer empire. It is simply incredible. All I can say is 'go there'.

Angkor Wat at sunrise:

The moat that surronds the whole complex. It must be 100m wide at least:

Crossing the moat. One side of the bridge has collapsed in the past and been repaired:

On the other side of the moat you reach the gatehouse:

Walking through the gatehouse you come to the massive plain. The temple of Angkor Wat is in the distance.


Getting closer!

Standing at the main entrance, looking right:

In the centre of the temple are 5 tall towers (in an X formation). It's hard to get a shot of more than one at once, as it's a bit cramped on the ground - so here are a bunch of random shots. Sadly we were not allowed to climb up into the towers becsaue of repairs.





Two of the 1876 celestial nymphs carved around the temple:



Standard detail carved into door frames:

And a close up:

Bas relief gallery. There are four of these, running round the perimiter of the temple itself. Each is some 100m long and the carvings run the whole length. They depict famous battles, mythical wars, deamons, gods, heroes. Many have been damaged by water, but restoration is underway:

One half of one gallery (the rest is behind me). Carvings are on the left.

That's it from Angkor. Hope you liked it!