Cambodia 2010 : Angkor Wat

It was a cloudy day, so we didn't get to watch the sunrise over this ancient magnificent complex. We managed to hire a guide through our accommodation. The guide came to meet us in the morning and together with the tuk-tuk rider, we started our journey to Angkor Wat.

At the entrance, you'll be required to take a photo (like those at immigration) and pay for the entrance fee to the entire complex for the day. Back in 2010, it costs us USD20. 

Angkor Wat is one of the Unesco World Heritage sites in the world. It has been listed as one of the areas known for unsustainable tourism and you'd be able to see why.

It is difficult for one to grasp the entire story around the complex which were built during different empire of different kings.  

However, it will not fail to impress upon you how all these complexes are carved by men and built stone by stone. 

Most of the pillars will also have a motif that would reflect some of the mythical characters. This complex in particular is a library in the past. 

I find it hard to imagine how all these are hand-made in the past, one by one.

This is another mythical character which is commonly seen.

One of the newer looking temple complex.

Some restoration work going on to replace the eroded figures.

Some evidence of how certain ruins are now in jeopardy, due to increasing tourism and lack of preservation work around the temple complex. 

Here, our guide is explaining to us the significance and history of one of the many complexes. Our guide is an incredibly diligent person. To be able to gain employment as a guide, most of them have to take up a course in English to allow them to converse with tourist. As many of them were very poor, they have to study part time and work to earn a living and to pay for school fees. 

Some parts of the carvings which are properly preserved, or perhaps due to it being lesser known.

During our visit, many of the areas are also cordoned off for preservation work to take place.

One of the more popular grounds would be the Angkor Thom, or more popularly known as Bayon. This is where you can find 54 towers with 4 faces of Buddha on each side of the tower.

This is around the area of Little Circuit.

Everywhere around the complex, you'll find little children either trying to beg for money or to sell you souvenirs. If you purchase from any one of them, within seconds, you'll be surrounded by many other children. It's a pity because some of these children are of age for education but they're all mired in poverty and were forced to work.

The area of the complex is so vast, it's impossible for you to go around on foot. We went around by tuk-tuk and we took almost entire day to finish going around all the different temple complexes.

Here's also another popular spot where the princesses of the past take their path.

And this is perhaps the start of the journey of the popular churning of the of ocean path. This is one of the most popular myth about good versus evil. 

Some of the areas have also reflected a strong Hinduism history. There would carvings of the Hindu deities and many of these areas are considered sacred. 

 Some of these are still considered a place of worship for the locals.

Restoration work takes place from time to time to restore the old buildings.

The temple complexes of along the Little Circuit.

This is a popular spot for many tourists who have been to Angkor Wat. This is at Ta Prohm, famous for the humongous tree which have literally rooted into the temple complex. 

While many of us may not be able to fully relate to the myths and historical background of these temple structures and the entire complex, we could however be in awe of how all these were done in the past where technology is unheard of. There is no excavator, trucks and lorry. To just think of the strength needed for to transport all these limestone and huge rocks to build these complexes is beyond my imagination.

Hopefully the place will be preserved in more earnest measures, so that while the tourism industry can generate income for the locals, it will also be a sustainable one to ensure a longer income period for them. At the same time, the place will also be a learning testament to the younger ones of how one of the ancient worlds can build this place of glory in the past without the help of advanced technology and with only sheer submission and determination.