Wat Up!

OK, I've been waiting a week to use that blog title. Finally got to visit the temples of Angkor Wat today [Sunday]! I had no idea the size of that place. Angkor Wat is just one temple, and there are actually several spread out over several kilometers. Angkor Wat is the world's largest religious monument. The initial design and construction of the temple took place in the first half of the 12th century, during the reign of Suryavarman II (ruled 1113 – c. 1150), Dedicated to Vishnu, it was built as the king's state temple and capital city. In the late 13th century Angkor Wat was converted from Hindu to Theravada Buddhist use, which continues to the present day. The temple has become a symbol of Cambodia, and is a source of great national pride. A depiction of Angkor Wat has been a part of Cambodian national flags since the introduction of the first version circa 1863. I toured the big ones: Angor Wat (the famous one), Banyon Temple at Angkor Thom (the one with all the faces) and Ta Phrom (the underground tree one), and even a few smaller ones by the road. I'm not going to really say much about these ancient wonders, but instead let the pictures speak for themselves. Once you see the pictures, you'll see why no words could ever sum up what I experienced there today.

I have more photos, but the internet was not cooperating...come back soon!!