We left Bangkok and took a bus to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Siem Reap is a major tourist destination because it is close to Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is the location of a magnificent kingdom long gone. However the temples built by ancient kings still stand and make for an amazing archaeological site.
The Tuk-tuk is the official transport of the Angkor Wat archaeological site. It is a rickshaw hitched to a 90cc scooter. Not going anywhere in a hurry.
Our first glimpse of Angkor Wat. We arrived around sunset to get our tickets for the following three days.
We explored the site with the Musik family. We had a lot of fun exploring the place for the next three days.
Upon entering the temple I was astonished at the magnitude of the site and the amazing architecture.
There are statues and reliefs that have survived thousands of years of use, war, neglect and abuse.
Yet some are well preserved. Here are the Apsara dancers that are ubiquitous over Cambodia. They are the spirit of the clouds and water.
Not only do tourists from all over the world come over to explore but so do local monks. Too bad Wendy wasn’t around to chase them into the moat ;)
Ali looked good at Angkor Wat!
The temples have magnificent carved doors that appear to go to nowhere adding to the mystical quality of this place.
The next day our guide would take us to a temple with some of the best preserved carvings on the site.
The detail on the stone is amazing. I have never seen stone carvings with so much depth and detail anywhere in the world.
Of course the carvings are religious in nature and all tell stories of Hinduism in this temple.
Eyes are always watching you!
Will Ali escape from her stone prison? You can find out on the next post. Cambodia will continue as our guides takes us to other sites.
Thailand’s biggest flower market.
These are mostly for offerings.
Roses - less than $10 a bunch
Orchids - $5 a bunch
Leaves - practically free
The flower market had an inside vendor area and all sorts of store front florists.
Not to mention it spilled out onto the street.
We splurged on a Mexican dinner one night for Omar. He was thrilled for refried beans and rice - it’s the little things in life sometimes.
Another interesting foreign product - clearly not vegan friendly.
A bridge over a moat to Phnom Bakheng Temple.
A well preserved relief on Angkor Thom the only city with any remains. Temples were built with stone and the cities with wood, henceforth no town remains. Angkor Thom was the King’s city so there are areas with stone remnants still. The city is 3km by 3km square with 5 entrances and exits, over moats, to visit the royal grounds. 
Baphuon Temple, built in 1066 AD at the height of Cambodian power, with an estimated 2 million people living in the vicinity (outside Angkor Thom's walls.)
The view from Baphuon Temple. Hope you’re not afraid of heights!
The three headed elephant on the elephant terrace - all still inside the town of Angkor Thom!
The kings use to watch elephants with riders battle it out for sport. Look closely.
My favorite temple as it was being reclaimed by trees - Ta Prohm.
Look familiar? Tomb Raider was filmed here!
Group love.
Ta Prohm had several buildings where trees had either taken over or completely collapsed the temple.
The main temple of Angkor Wat - it was spectacular!
We were all templed out by day 3 so we decided to rent bikes and bicycle all morning around the temple complex. It was great - mountain biking on beach cruisers, past completely run down temples, off the beaten path, and getting back on a bike!
No idea where this temple was - we were just biking by and stopped for a look.
We had lunch at the Siem Reap Butterfly Garden - a nonprofit that supports various local and community projects. This one is for you Laura V.!
Siem Reap was incredibly touristy and tons of fun with lots to do from yoga to drinking.
We explored Siem Reap the first day after our 9 hour bus journey, but headed to Angkor Wat just for sunset photos.
This is the library at the main temple of Angkor Wat - one of the hundreds of temples that actually make up this archeological UNESCO park.
The sunset proved to be just as spectacular as promised.
Our first full day of exploring - notice we are the only ones here - our 5:30 am early start paid off.
This is the same temple complex as the one above - Prerup Temple - built in 961 AD as a Hindu Temple.
Banteaysrei Temple, or Women Temple, known for having the best preserved reliefs thanks to the hard, red sandstone - built in 967 AD.
A blooming lotus flower - I thought it was aptly named as I am off to a yoga studio of the same name.
Still at Banteaysrei Temple.
The reliefs were almost as good as new in some areas.
It’s sad how many museums and nonprofits there are in this area due to left land mines and the continuing damage they cause.
Aki Ra, the man who started this museum, was a boy solider who planted land mines and is now spending the rest of his adult life undoing what he was forced to do as a child. He was named one of CNN’s heroes.
All the temples were decorated with aspara dancers - a type of dancing that one can still see in Cambodia.
Omar in front of Ta Som Temple. It was built in the middle of a reservoir that no longer exists - boat in only.
The moat that surrounds Neak Pean Temple. 
Neak Pean Temple - another boat in only temple. This temple is surrounded by 4 pools of healing water that correspond to your element: earth, water, fire, and air. 
My favorite temples were the one with trees overtaking them. This was at Preah Khan temple - built in 1191 AD.
The only demon with a head left on the walkway over the moat that led into Preah Khan. The demons are holding a snakes body.