Angkor Wat And Other Cambodian Treasures

#3 in my Top 10 Travel Experiences is Cambodia and more specifically the fabulous ancient temples near Siem Reap.

With our guide Prea and driver Trom we were given a wonderful backstage view of the wonderful temples of Angkor.

The area is a UNESCO site and you can see why when you visit – between the ever encroaching jungle and the hordes of tourists who tramp over the ancient stones it definitely needed someone to take care of it. Probably because the jungle had engulfed the temples is why so many are still in such great condition today, that and the huge amount of work that has been done by archaeological teams.

Apart from the jaw dropping sight of Angkor Wat (the most well known of the temples)at sunrise or sunset there are many other temples to discover including the red temple or ladies temple Banteay Srei. This temple was built in the 10thC and only ‘rediscovered’ in the early 20thC. What is absolutely amazing are how the intricate carvings and reliefs have been preserved – it really just stops you in your tracks when you see the often delicate carvings that were crafted 11 centuries ago.

Also on our visit we were invited by our guide to a special performance by young Cambodian girls who had been trained in the ancient art of Apsara dancing.

This traditional dancing also comes from the time of the Angkor civilisation where is was performed only for royalty. When the Khmer Rouge were in control of Cambodia many of the teachers and dancers were killed but now they are once again flourishing and this time for everyone to see.

Visiting the temples of Angkor is a true travel experience and I for one will certainly be going back again.

Have you visited Angkor? Please let me know what you thought of the temples and their history.