Our tuk-tuk driver took this snap for us.
Although all the ruins in the area are often described as Angkor Wat that name applies specifically to one compound, and that was our destination after breakfast. Hung and Savy had arranged transportation by tuk-tuk rather than by bus, so we motored away in a fleet, two to a tuk-tuk, to the east entry of the ruin (notice a pattern here?). We spent a fair amount of time walking around the south side of the temple before heading into and climbing up the first terrace. I resisted the temptation to take too many photographs that I'm sure exist in art and architecture books by expert photographers with far better cameras and far better lighting and far more time. It was another hot (90°F+) and humid (>70°F dew point), and I was using the fan that Hung gave me (he give one to each of us back in Vietnam) most of the time. It was marginally cooler in the shade and in the temple galleries. Again, I was dripping most of the time. We exited via the west portal and turned back to the iconic view of the temple over the water.
There are no huge faces of Buddha at this site due to the fact it was built initially as a Hindu temple, but was converted to Buddhist purposes not long after it was built.
Our tuk-tuk driver took this snap for us.
Barbara checking with her driver on their photo.
Alan and Sheri ready to go.
On our way.
Water lilies in the east moat of Angkor Wat.
The east gate to the complex (we always seemed to enter these places from the east).
The central tower.
Group photo.
Youngster sitting on the steps.
Yes, he was really there!
Steve and Gwen pose for photos.
Sheri takes a snap for and of Alan
A stub-tailed cat - reminds me of our late stub-tailed cat, Argo.
The south colonnade.
Two monks outside the west colonnade.
I was amused by the young monk carrying the donation box on his back with a strap.
Some of the bas relief carvings. I had to resist taking these shots.
Not exactly a photobomb, but I like it!
Monks in the colonnade.
Is that what I think it is, peaking above this figure's belt?
Some sensors through the ruins measuring movement.
A gallery with a high ceiling.
Looking out on a grassy courtyard.
Steep stairs up.
Julie seems to be striking a pose echoing the apsara behind her.
Pausing in the shade - Terry, Tom, Jack, Judy, Sheri, and Audra.
I caught this young lady peering up at the towers through the opening behind where we were sitting in the shade.
The stairs up to the next level.The length of the line in the sun caused is to forgo that part of the tour.
Apsara.
Some Buddha statues.
Other folks resting in the shade.
Shade was a valued commodity.
Our group also taking advantage of it.
One of the classic views of Angkor Wat reflecting across the water.
Jack and Judy pose for a portrait.
We returned to the hotel for a final shower and the penultimate pack of the suitcases – final packing will be done in Bangkok after settling accounts, checking out, and leaving our checked bags with the concierge, we went to lunch at the Ecole d'Hôtellerie et de Tourisme | Paul Dubrule a hospitality school that had a student staffed restaurant, Le Jardin De Délices. The chefs and servers had only been enrolled for three weeks or so, but they did a fine job.
There was an optional visit to an artisan's collective that afternoon of which I partook, but Mr. Lubin begged off due to a turned ankle that was paining him. The Artisans Angkor collective was less an artistic adventure than a reproductive one where various pieces are copied over and over, although at high quality. But their gift shop at the end was very appealing and a number of our group made purchases, although I did not.
So we are now sitting in the lobby waiting for our transfer to the airport.
Navigating check-in at the Siem Reap Airport was a bit confusing at first as Savy sent us to the incorrect check-in stations. However Sheri did a quick reconnaissance sweep and identified the correct one where we dutifully lined up. After clearing passport control and security (very casual), we found a restaurant where we both had pad thai and a glass of wine while waiting for our flight. We declined the opportunity to patronize the Burger King or Dairy Queen (the first I recall seeing on this trip).
We were in row 1 again on this flight which again had no first class. It was a rather short flight but I think both Jonathan and I dozed a bit on the plane where they fed us again. we hiked through the sizable BKK airport until we located passport control, and then collected our luggage. We said farewell to the last of our walking group there. We went to an airport information kiosk to find the walking passage to the airport hotel. The passage was located at the bottom level, so walking by the train station, we reached the hotel and checked in.
A reproduction of the 'tug-of'war' statues that we saw outside Angkor Thom.
Our tuk-tuk driver.
Heading into the restaurant for lunch.
Dining al fresco.
Mixed Salad with Banana Flower and Chicken.
Poached Fish Fillet Delice with warm Vinaigrette served with Honey Beetroot Finger and Broccoli.
Chocolate Éclair with Cinnamon Ice Cream.
The staff of the restaurant.
Portraits of the current king (Norodom Sihamoni), his late father, and the Queen Mother.
Some of the artists/trainees at the Angkor Artisans Collective.
One of the displays demonstrating the work - this one on laquering.
Lingam and yoni.
At the Siem Reap Airport.
