Two temple complexes, very hot, a cool swim & traditional dancing

Slept late: 8:00am wake up for a civilized 9am start today.  We headed through Siem Reap City to our first temple complex:  Angor Thom, this contains an unfinished temple( Bayon) and royal city with a dramatic entrance and gate as well as a very large temple complex.  Climbing to the top we found a beautiful view, and a small Buddha shrine tended by the nuns.The weather was hot & humid again, like doing the tour in a hot yoga room  Exiting the temple complex, we were surrounded by vendors and children(some things are the same world wide) selling all manner of items:  postcards, scarves, bracelets, books etc.  . They followed us around, until they realized we weren't buying.  Although I did succomb and buy some bracelets from some very  insistent and eager children. 

Lunch was in a blissfully shaded small restaurant across from Angor Wat, our guide suggested we "rest and recover" before heading off again.  As we approached the entrance of the Angor Wat complex we were all stunned by the beauty, the size, and the details of this place that we had heard so much about.  The complex is surrounded by a lovely moat with water lillies.  The initial structure has many nooks and crannies to explore with extensive carvings throughout.  Little did we know what would come next!  As we arrived at the "main" temple, we were overwhelmed by the mammoth size and the beautiful carvings, especially of the Apsara women(the royal dancers).  These adorn almost all the walls and columns.  The bas relief carvings tell many tales of the Cambodian people including the stories about heaven, our time on earth and hell(and who goes where).  Exploring the temple involved a lot of steep steps, and many ups and downs.  As we approached the last challenge, Terry realized his knee wasn't going to hold up, he found a spot in the shade to wait for us. Roberta, Phil, the guide and I headed up the last very steep set of stairs to the top of Angor Wat.  The view was magnificent, and the last floor of the temple stunning.  Carvings, nooks & crannies, and a sleeping Buddha were all explored.  The condition of this ancient temple is remarkable.  47 steep steps later we found ourselves back down.  Very hot.  Very sweaty, a trip well worth the effort and poorly described until you see the pictures.

The cool sea water pool at the hotel beckoned:  after a swim and poolside mojito, a nap was in order.  Now just back from a buffet dinner during which we were entertained by traditional Cambodian dancers.  A little ice cream, and now it's time for bed.

Hoping my feet hold up for tomorrow,

Barbara