The Newbys Take a Trip : Cambodia -- the Temple Tour

We are behind on our posts but that was because we were busy seeing interesting sights and catching up with friends. We had a great visit to Cambodia. Our guide Rum was super. He did a fantastic job of keeping Wesley interested and engaged as we went to see "another temple!" Our hotel, Pavillon d'Orient was also great (another big thanks to Rick and Lara for that recommendation). Staff was very friendly and helpful.

Angkor Wat is still amazing, but so crowded! When I visited it with my sister for the first time in December 1997, we were often the only group in the temple. That is definitely not the case any longer. We could also climb all over anywhere we wanted to go in the temple. Now there are barriers and ropes directing "the way of the visit" and keeping you from those up close views of the carvings. Still this should be included on everyone's bucket list. We brought the rain with us from Thailand. Rum said that they hadn't had enough rain this season, but it rained every day that we were there. Fortunately, none of the rain interfered with our touring although it did mean that we didn't get a nice clear sunrise over Angkor Wat (which we got out of bed at 4:00 a.,m. to see!).

We ran down the batteries on three cameras taking photos on the day that we toured Angkor Wat!

Beng Melea -- a temple outside the main Angkor complex that has yet to be restored.

Angkor Wat (including a shot of the throngs of people who joined us to see the sunrise)

Banteay Srey -- the "Pink Lady" or the "LadyTemple," a miniature temple complex (when compared to the immense scale of Angkor Wat, the stone has a slight pinkish tone to it)