Many temples in Angkor started out dedicated to Hindu gods, but were later converted to Buddhism. Instead of destroying evidence of the former religion like in so many other countries, in Angkor you often find bas reliefs carvings showing different gods. Can be confusing but I concentrated on admiring the architecture and craftsmanship.
Some monkey business going on here too.
Fairly hidden temple ruin off the main road behind Terrace of the Leper King. Nature is taking over.
I had others but they were so yummy I forgot to take pictures: mixed fruit in caramelised palm sugar and deep fried battered mixed fruit.
And then there is always the inside of the coconut once you drank all the water.
Eaten at Palm Village Resort & Spa, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
I am at an age where I appreciate access to free and clean toilets. So here is a shout out to all the toilet teams of Angkor Wat Archeological Park: Thank you! First class service and high hygienic standard.
On my cycling trips around Angkor I stopped at every toilet on the way but at this one I stopped at least 7 times. As I am probably one of the few tall, blue eyed tourist with short blonde hair on a bicycle I was easily recognisable. I was already greeted with waves on my second visit. They sell cold drinks. I must have looked like in need of caffeine and they offered me Nescafe Espresso. I got hooked. I would tell them what day I would come around again and they had 2 cold cans hidden at the bottom of the cooling box, ready for me.
Sure, they make profit, but still a fab service.
Many stalls throughout Angkor Wat Archeological Park offer various food. I usually opted for fresh fruit. Look at this variety! So yummy.
Almost stepped on this one coming back from dinner one evening. I was instantly imagining the centipede wearing flip-flops and having to take them all off before entering the temple. I am clearly watching too many animation movies!
Among other creepy crawlers and winged beauties ants are everywhere, from tiny to way to big for my liking, from black to brown and red. The red ones are apparently a nice snack if you are very desperate. A German group I’ve met told me their guide would just pick them of trees, munching on them while explaining temple history to them.
This small temple is actually still in use today. There were also some local residences nearby which was nice to see. The walled city of Angkor Thom was a major city at one point and I would have expected more evidence of normal housing, not just temples.
Wait what? Yes, there was another King called Leper King besides the one of Jerusalem.
The statue was called the “Leper King” because discolouration and moss growing on it was reminiscent of a person with leprosy. However, there is also the Cambodian legend of the Angkorian king Yasovarman who had leprosy. In Cambodia he is known as Dharmaraja.
Quite a long terrace. Have a look at the map below.
