Les Ruines D’Angkor: A Khmer Pride

Les ruines d’Angkor (Source: Georges Groslier, Paris, 1911) (Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AfficheAngkorGroslier.jpg)

Lonely Planet lists Angkor Wat in Cambodia as one of the ‘1000 Places to Visit Before You Die’. With over 2 million visitors per year – including the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Charles de Gaulle in the 60s; and, more recently, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Angelina Jolie, and Ricky Martin in the decade of the ’00s – it is no wonder ‘les ruines d’Angkor’ have become one of the most photographed landmarks in Southeast Asia.

1967-Jackie Kennedy Visit to Angkor Wat (Source: http://www.devata.org/2010/01/angkor-wat-dreams-jacqueline-kennedys-1967-visit-to-cambodia/1967-03-jackie-06/)

Red line shows route from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (town nearest Angkor Archaeological Park)

Located near Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is the most famous of approximately 1000 Hindu temples spread across 400 square kilometres of forested land. Dated from between the 9th and 15th centuries AD, the Angkor Archaeological Park holds the magnificent remains of several former capitals of the ancient Khmer Empire of Southeast Asia. It now forms part of the modern-day Cambodian flag, serves as a national symbol and is a source of Khmer pride amongst the Cambodian people.

Cambodian Flag with Angkor – a National Symbol (Source: http://www.cambodia.org/facts/)

During our visit, we joined the hoards of camera-carrying tourists to chase sunrises and sunsets for that ‘perfect photo’ of Angkor Wat. However, we were unlucky: the sky was severely overcast.

Camera-clad tourists awaiting ‘sunrise-splendour’ of overcast Angkor Wat near Siem Reap, Cambodia

Nonetheless, we took scores of photos, some of which I’ll publish on this post.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat near Seam Reap in Cambodia

Where nature and man unite: Us and Ta Prohn Temple in Angkor, near Siem Reap, Cambodia

Where’s Nico? Ta Prohm in Angkor near Siem Reap, Cambodia

Faces of Bayon in Angkor near Seam Reap, Cambodia

And some people are lucky enough to tour Angkor by Hot Air Balloon (Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia)

Related articles

• Cambodian roots: pre-Angkor archaeological site of Wat Phu Champasak in Laos (thirdkulturekidparis.wordpress.com)
• A Fantastic Article on Ta Prohm by the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/19/world/trees-bind-angkor-temples-in-perilous-grip.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
• Information on Angkor from UNESCO’s World Heritage Site: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/668