I’ve always been in awe reading about the temples of Angor, Cambodia and after seeing photos in travel magazines I would dream that maybe one day I would get the opportunity to explore this Wonder of the Ancient World myself.
Well here I am, a smile on my face and absolutely memorised, standing at the largest component of the temples. Angkor Wat. It’s just like I imagined it would be and I’m incredibly moved.
The word "Wat" means monastery, and was used as that. This huge temple was built by King Suryavarman II, who decorated and built it in his Hindu beliefs. A holy place for many.
I visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Royal enclosure and Terrace of Elephants, Banteay Srei Temple and the overgrown ruins of Ta Prohm. where stone pillars and carvings intertwine with massive tree roots and jungle in this stunning of temple complexes.
Of all the temples in the Ankor Wat complex, Ta Prohm is my absolute favourite and most breathtaking because of the way the structures have been engulfed by Nature – the trees around them are absolutely monstrous! It makes you realise just how powerful the force of nature.