South Gate of Angkor Thom - Angkor Thom is the last city of the Khmer empire. It spreads over 9 sq km. The South Gate of Angkor Thom is where we entered, bus/tuktuk traffic can be expected here since it usually is the start of majority of the tours done everyday.
The Bayon -- this is a very well-known temple for its many serene faces that can be found all over the temple. This is the first major temple we went to and the sudden shift from walking in flat areas to climbing up large boulders was a big change. It is amazing.
Each of the four sides of each tower has the face of a smiling Jayavarman VII carved into it. When you are on top of the temple, it seems that there is always someone looking at you.
The smiling faces of Jayavarman...
Inside Bayon:
Northwest of the Bayon is Baphuon, which is currently undergoing restoration. Restoration of this temple started a long time ago, but the records/plans of the restoration were lost during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. This is possibly the worlds biggest jigsaw puzzle.
Cranes and other machinery all around Baphuon...
Pieces of the giant puzzle waiting to be restored in their original location:
The Terrace of the Elephants -- beautiful carvings of elephants adorn this terrace, which was said to be used by the King to incoming victorious soldiers and to watch public ceremonies. It is two and a half meters high , and 300 meters long.
Prasats Suor Prat -- twelve towers side by side in front of the Terrace of the Elephants
We were very tired and dehydrated by 12pm, our tuktuk driver Horn took us to this place near Srah Srang Lake.
What else but the Khmer Curry and
Khmer Amok, again!!!
We also had some kind of tom yum soup which was so flavorful, but we forgot to take a picture of it.
And off we went to the next temples in our list...
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