Siem Reap and Angkor Wat

So after quickly changing hostels in the morning (the bus dropped us at one and it was passable enough, but we checked out other hostels yesterday evening so we could change in the morn).. anyway, hired bikes to tour around Angkor

After having to make a slight detour to get the pass, we arrived at Angkor Wat. It really is an impressive place, though perhaps (well, definitely) the huge crowds that it now attracts do detract from the experience.

But, that said, it’s still amazing. Absolutely amazing. I mean these places are *huge*, made out of limestone, and in the middle of the jungle. The sheer scale of the construction is staggaring.

The largest series of reliefs in the world are here, the pic on the right is a depiction of one of the 40 or so hells that they have..

We just timed the afternoon rains incorrectly (though we had good shelter in Angkor) as it lashed down for an hour or so.

Then it was back to the bikes and on to Angkor Thom, which used to be the capital of the khymer empire I think, anyway, firstly it was to the Bayon, an impressive ruin in the middle of Angkor Thom.

Then it was on to The terrace of the leper king and the elephant terrace.

before it was time to cycle back. Well, I cycled back, Mhairi went up Phnom Bakheng which has nice views out over Angkor Wat. I was feeling a little tired after the heat!