Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is the one that everybody talks about but Angkor Thom is the one that most impressed me.

Angkor, I've been told, simply means city and these two places were certainly that. Cities and large cities at that. Now I'm not about to tell you what others have studied and written volumes about. I suggest you Google the topic and get acquainted with the history before you look at the photos. Or not it's up to you.

The first day was to be spent in and around Angkor Thom. Leaving Angkor Wat for sunrise the next day. Now to get into the national park I first had get an entry ticket. I chose the three day ticket. Easier said than done. Cost for a three day pass $40. Well worth it.
















To get to Angkor Thom you to have to drive past Angkor Wat

ha

the moat of Angkor Wat

and in truth it felt a little strange to drive past the 8th wonder of the world to see a "lesser temple". Driving past Angkor Wat gave me an impression of it's vast size.
And started me wondering about Angkor Thom.






Angkor Thom is bigger.

.

Angkor Wat

Much bigger


As we approached the portal that would allow us to pass through the ancient wall of Angkor Thom it struck me for the first time.  The tuk-tuk that I was riding in was traveling over a road that was first used over a thousand years before.  This immense gate before me is the same gate that elephants and their handlers  have use over and over throughout the ages. I was now about to enter their world.

our entrance way into Angkor Thom

This huge city is also surrounded by a moat and a bridge over the moat gave us access to the gate.

 

railing on either side of  the bridge

It was here, on the bridge, that the first indication of the attention to detail was seen. The railings alongside the bridge are intricately carved and huge. The carvings are of a mythical seven headed snake and a number of men holding it's tail. Once past these men I was now at the gate. The portal. There was no turning back.