Siem Reap is the MUST SEE stop for almost all visitors to SE Asia. Although the main attraction is Angkor Wat, there are many other sights (Wats) to be seen. My estimate is the resident population represents about 20 percent of the people at any time. The remainder are tourists. We started by going to the main attraction - Angkor Wat.
According to Wikipedia, Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world. Built in the early 12th century, it was originally constructed as a Hindu temple and gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple around the end of the 12th century.
The steps were going to be a little too much for Granny so she waited outside while our guide, Sinath, and I went into the complex. Below are some pictures of a few of the inside chambers and wall carvings. I wasn't going to climb to the top. That was way too much for me! I did see a couple of monks wandering the area including one that appeared to be giving blessings in return for a donation.
After Angkor Wat, it was off to lunch at a very nice restaurant - Sala Kdei. The grounds were very nice and the lunch was very good as you can see from the pictures below. Rice is served at every meal. Thus the "Tower of Rice".
After lunch, it was off to Angkor Thom. On the way we passed Ta Keo (pictures on the lseft and right) and we went through the Victory Gate pictured below left.
Angkor Thom (Large City) was built in the late 12th century and at the time was the largest city in the world. Its population was estimated at more than a million.
Look closely at the pictues below to see the faces that are carved into the walls.
