We traveled to
Siem Reap, Cambodia's #1 tourist destination, due to its proximity to the Temples of Angkor.
During the 9th to the 15th centuries, the capital of Cambodia sat in the
Angkor region, before moving to Phnom Penh. Between 900 and 1200 AD, the Khmer Empire produced magnificent temples that have become known as some of the world's most amazing architecture. These temples reflected the religious influences of Buddhism and Hinduism and were devoted to the Empire's "god kings". The most famous of these temples is
Angkor Wat.
I had the opportunity to check something off my "bucket list" -- seeing the sun rise at Angkor Wat. It was well worth the 4:30am wake-up call.
Famous carvings at Angkor Wat: Apsaras from Hindu mythology. We saw many carvings depicting the
Mahabharata and
Churning of the Ocean of Milk legends from Hindu epics.
Next, we saw Bayon Temple. This was my favorite temple because of the mysterious smiling faces.
There are four gates leading to Bayon. Each has a large stone with four faces representing the four faces of the Buddha: charity, sympathy, equanimity, and compassion.
The outside of Bayon:
Mysterious faces:
It was a long day, full of climbing up ancient ruins and swatting mosquitoes, but it was the most amazing place I have ever visited.
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