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The first thing I do when I move into a new hotel room is to check out the view.

Thailand and Cambodia 2000 - Part One - Bangkok & Siem Reap

Dougburnett
2003-11-22 17:55:13

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Angkor - the fortified city of Angkor Thom. It is best know for the huge, smiling faces that are carved in the walls and spires - all the same face.

Before we got there we had to stop and buy a ticket - there was a little stand along the road and each time we went by we had to stop and show my ticket. The price was $20 per day or three days for $40 - I got a three-day ticket.

By the time we got to the Bayon it was really hot. The site was large and there was a lot of walking and climbing to be done and very little shade. Despite this, the Bayon really was quite spectacular and a great introduction to what lay ahead at Angkor. There were several different levels and huge, smiling faces look down from each of them - it was as eerie as it was lovely.

Afterward I went looking for Lin and realized that almost all the cars that the tourist travel in were white Toyotas - the same as mine. I couldn't recognize his car nor could I find Lin, so I bought a can of pop and sat down to wait. Eventually he came looking for me and we moved on. Before I got in I took a good look at the car: I wasn't going to lose it again.

Next we stopped at Ta Prohm. While most of the sites have been cleared of the trees that took over after Angkor was abandoned in the 14th century, Ta Prohm wasn't. It's a singular sight to see the roots of huge trees wrapped tightly around temple walls. Further, parts of the temple that have collapsed have been left as they lay. You get the feeling of what it must have been like when westerners first started visiting Angkor in the late 19th century.

Walking in the shade of the trees was also a blessing after the hot sun at the Bayon. I found several shady spots to my liking and sat admiring the temples. It was very quiet and relaxing at Ta Prohm.

At this point it was past noon and I was getting hungry. ...