Nov 7, 2008 - Siem Reap and the Temples

We started out early today after breakfast to our first temple called Banteay Srei (dedicated to the hindu god Shiva)1 hour north of Angkor. Here it is noted for it's pink sandstone and over the door carvings. From there to Banteay Samre. Each one of the temples is so unique in it's own right. This next one was not on our schedule but our guide knew we couldn't miss it. It was Ta Prohm. Here the arecheologists left everything untouched. This is the one where they filmed Laura Croft Tomb Raiders. This one has all the fig, banyan and kapok trees with their roots flowing down the walls and all around taking over. It was cool! We felt like we were tomb raiding! Tons of amazing pics.A quick traditional lunch then on to the main, and most famous temple, Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat stands 65 meters high. The tallest and biggest temple in all of Cambodia and the prime attraction for visitors. It has been on the list as one of the 7 wonders of the world and is now at 14. These are based on imenseness and age. Here is also where the filmed the floating village on the lake in front on Angkor Wat showing it in the background. Inside was where she talked with the monk and drank the sacred drink. This temple has the best showing of Khmer architecture. It's also the symbol on the Cambodian Flag. We left just in the nick of time before the rainstorm came. We headed to south of SeimReap to the real floating village on the lake. Here we saw many of the locals, their small boats, children, and floating restaurants. We stopped at one to see the tanks of fish they catch from the lake and the crocodiles. We just made it in again before the rains came. Dinner in the evening was buffet with a show and Apsara dancers doing local folk dances. This is it. The end to an absolutely wonderful trip. I wish we would have planned another day. The Angkor complex has over 209 different temples. They sell the tickets in 1 day, 3 days, or 1 week. There is so much to see. It's now time to pack. I'm heading back home in the morning, but my roommate is on her way to Hong Kong for another couple of days. G'nite. Anna