Angkor Wat, most famously known as the location set for Laura Croft, Tomb Raider, was built in 1100 as a Hindu temple. It became Buddhist in the 16th century. Its the only temple that faces west--symbolizing the end of life. The King is buried here facing west, versus East which symbolizes the beginning of life/day. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site, famous for the iconic mirror image in the pond. Normally the tour is a sunrise viewing to see the golden reflection in the pond but since sunshine was not forecast, we headed out at 8am.
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Everyone is wearing the elephant pants
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Walked across a floating bridge to get there
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Waited in line 15 minutes to go up and in. Steps so steep one woman sat & cried on the way down until someone showed her how to go down backwards.
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Once up there, there was a lot to see. Temples are places of worship and holiness. Meant to be hard to climb up in to.
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I forget what these beautiful women/Goddesses symbolize but they are everywhere. Look at the detail, amazing it has lasted all this time.
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View from above
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One of the three towers
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Learned about the five commitments of Buddhists: no killing, stealing, cheating, lying, sexual misconduct, alcohol.
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So long Angkor Wat
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