Berry's SEAJ trip Day 27: Sunrise and temple exploration (7/2/15)

Woke up at 4 to get to Angkor Wat for the sunrise. Had a friend recommend a tuktuk driver named Sam, whom we used and was great. At Angkor, we set up on the SW side to get away from many of the crowds  and for what seemed to be better views. We had a guide ask us if we wanted his services, and for 15$ we agree to get a historical perspective on the temple which was worth it. We walked around then found Sam so we can grab an early lunch before going to the Ta Prom temple (the one from tomb raider movie) which was cool to see how the trees have grown within the walls of the temple.

Getting lost in the darkness. 

Berry is able to start making out some shapes and notice his surroundings.

Panorama from the outside. Still got a ways to walk but still pretty way out here.

The temple is starting to take shape as the sun comes up and we get closer. 

Berry wanted to go explore this nearby building in the dark to see what it is like. Was kinda cool being in a temple ruin as it was still dark. 

Berry is getting excited about the sun starting to come up. 

We wanted to get a picture while the sun was still down a bit but the temple is starting to show itself.

That is Angkor Wat in all its glory. And Berry in all of his.

Beautiful! 

The required reflection shot (however with the water level being low, it made it a little more challenging).

Panorama of the temple. We clearly were not the only one here this early.

Sun is starting to breach the temple.

People started to go in. I wanted to sit here and enjoy this a little bit longer.

Berry had the same idea.

One of us taking a picture of another of us. This was one of those side temple spaces.

Not a bad view from the window. 

Berry pointed out that we came from all the way over there. Extremely large complex. It did use to be a huge ancient civilization so makes sense.

More intricate stone work. Love it!

Zoom in on the top parts.Scary lil critters. 

Wall of story telling (or whatever they call it). This is a giant mural carved into the wall telling stories important to this group's history. 

Our group (with guide) looking at the different stories as he talks about them. 

Berry took some time to look back out over the grounds.

But then he focused back on the wall. Here is a close up of the art on the wall. 

We start ascending and this is one of the doorways. Simple was not in these people's vocabulary. 

Water basin or Sacrificial pit - you decide.

Monk popping a squat. 

Even their support beams in the interior get carved artistically.

Berry called dibs on the garage apartment. Had to break it to him there was no garage.

These people seemed to enjoy their busty ladies. 

Backside of the Wat.

They had to gate off many of these staircases to keep people off. The world is their jungle gym.

Zoom in and just appreciate the fine stone work done. I have never tried so much as chiseling a ramp out of stone and these guys are doing this. Respect!

Cool little bird paying us a visit. 

After waiting our turn to go up to the top, we get up and look at the views around. 

Berry looking back out where we came from. What is that yellow thing?

Ahhh a hot air balloon. cool. 

The pathway in from parking lot to outer temples to the main one. 

That car ruins the old timey feel of this picture. temple and carriages, then a car. Good job camry!

On our walk to the next temple, Berry stops to do some tree swinging.

I decided he was having too much fun so I had to join. 

Ive never seen the movie but does this look familiar to anyone? Berry you cannot climb that tree.

The more notable side of the building. Berry is a big Croft fan.

Renovations/upkeep has to happen on new and old buildings alike. 

Ok Berry I will take a picture with you in front of your building.

Ruins of the temple that used to stand here. I blame Lara for blowing it up. Shame!

Berry and I agree, these trees that use the temple to grow are impressive. Not sure how they started but they are unstoppable!

One of the temple entrances.

Berry getting a glimpse of the outside of the temple.

Berry and his giant trees. Started to feel like he was turning into the Lorax.

This was a pretty intense looking tree. That root system had Berry amazed.

Berry's gang (we actually started a facebook group called the Berry's and still keep in touch - thank you Berry).

Stopped at and climbed another temple as we were driving around. 

One of the motor entrances/bridges in the temple complex.

You think that face is creepy, wait for the next temple.

We then go to Bayon temple (temple of faces) which has many face carvings all over the temple. Ate another lunch a little in the afternoon before hitting some of the outer circuit temples; the floating temple was disappointing as there was a drought and no water was there, and the other temples were much of the same.

Berry and the gang excited to see the next temple.

This is the Bayon temple (believe it is referred to as the 1000 face temple). As you can see all the towers have faces carved into them.

Berry and the statue matching. This was the first level of the temple. 

Pillars had awesome stone work (like we have seen in the previous temples). Glad they havent eroded.

One of the bigger stone carvings at the temple.

Berry taking a seat as we continue to explore the many faces.

Berry posing with the a close up of the face.

The entrance ways had these serpent stone rails guiding people in. 

Berry walking the platform to the last temple of the day,  Neak Pean. 

Usually this has a water moat all around it but with the recent drought the country was facing, clearly water is scarce.

We then head back and decide to swim in the pool at Robert's hostel which was nice and cold but has tons of mosquitoes flying over head when in the pool, not near the pool just when in the pool. Have a couple drinks ($0.50 beers or 2 for 1 cocktails as it is happy hour) before we go back to the hostel to change before going to grab some food at a place near the old market that has menus the size of a dictionary without any foreseeable organization or thought to it. They too have 0.50$ beers so we play never have I ever while enjoying some cheap drinks. Us guys then go to get a massage which is weird for me as you put on scrubs to be massaged in. We all fell asleep in our massages after the long day. We then make our way back to the hostel to get some rest for the epic day tomorrow.