The massive temples of the Angkor complex - Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Phrom - were built in the 12th century to house the royalty. Up to 300,000 workers were used to build the Angkor Wat alone. The 'modern' Royal Palace was built in the mid-19th century. Yet the people of the country - then and now - are poor by any economic standard. And from 1975 through 1979 the Khmer rouge under Pol Pot, murdered 2 million innocent people. Only now, 40 years later, has the population returned to pre-1975 levels. These photos, taken over a two-day period, provide a brief glimpse of it all.
Angkor Wat at sunrise
Angkor Wat the moment the sun appears
One of the massive inner temples at the Angkor Wat
Inner temple at Angkor Wat showing intricate stone work
Massive staircase at an innter temple of the Angkor Wat
Gods of good and evil guarding entrance to the Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom - note the massive faces carved into the stone
Each of the carved faces at the Anglkor Thom is more than 12 feet high
An inner court at the Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom - Look closely to see at least six faces in the stonework.
A sample of the intricate wall carvings at the Angkor Thom
Note the very delicate stone carvings as well at the Angkor Thom
Banyan Tree completely encapsulates 12th Century stone carving at Ta Phrom.
Dark and musky passages add an aura of mystery at the Ta Phrom...
Ta Phrom ... could this be the site of the next Indiana Jones archeological adventure?
Royal Palace. Throne Hall used by the king for formal receptions.
Royal Palace - Moonlight Hall for watching the rising Moon.
Street Vendor in Siem Reap
