Day Two at Angkor Wat--the Grand Tour

We were a little more adventurous for day two, we left at 8 AM for the "Grand Tour". There was more driving. The driver said he is paid $50 a month and works every day--seven days a week. If he misses a dayof work he gets $1.50 deducted from his pay. We paid $3 for the sunset tour, $8 for the small tour, $11 for the grand tour. We gave him the change each day as a tip.

Prasat Preah Khan
Preah Khan (Sacred Sword) is one of the largest complexes in Angkor. It covers a very large area, with four processional walkways approaching the gates, bordered by a depiction of the churning of the ocean of milk.

These photos illustrate the looting of the images that took place in the early days after the European discovery of the temples. Most often the faces or heads of the images were carved or broken off and are no doubt today scattered through France. It was mentioned more than once that the main culprit, who was convicted of looting in the early 20th century, was later appointed to a top government position on culture by Charles de Gaulle.

Neak Pean
A 12th century Buddhist temple. It has a large square pool surrounded by four smaller pools. In the center of the central pool is a circular island encircled by two naga. In the central there were four statues, but only one remains, reconstructed from the debris. The figure has the body of a horse supported by a tangle of human legs.

Ta Som
The central area is in a ruined state with restoration underway by the World Monument Fund.

Pre Rup
A pyramid shaped temple mountain with the uppermost of the three tiers carrying five square shrines arranged as a quincunx (a common configuration). Pre Rup means “Turning the Body” and refers to a traditional method of cremation, suggesting that this may have served as the royal crematorium.

East Mabon
A Hindu temple erected in the 10th century. It would have been on an island but is now on dry land. The corners are guarded by harnessed elephants. Holes in the rock is where plasterwork was attached to the stone.

We finished up a little earlier in the day and I had the driver take us back to Angkor Wat. While my mother waited in the"chariot" I did another circuit of Angkor Wat with my video camera. If I figure out how to post videos I will do so later.