Angkor

We've spent the last few days based in Siem Reap, Cambodia and visiting the ancient city of Angkor. Angkor is a region of Cambodia that served as the seat of the Khmer empire from approximately the 12th-15th centuries (that's a direct quote from Wikipedia...to learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor). It's a huge area of centuries old temples and it really is amazing. We spent one whole day visiting temples on bicycles and another day seeing the ones further out in a tuk tuk. Luckily, we ran into Lucy and Edgar, who we met a couple times in Bangkok, and got to see the temples with them. There are loads of temples in Angkor with Angkor Wat being the largest and most well preserved temple.

Another wiki fact that is pretty interesting:
In 2007, an international team of researchers using satellite photographs and other modern techniques concluded that Angkor had been the largest preindustrial city in the world, with an elaborate system of infrastructure connecting an urban sprawl of at least 1,000 square kilometres (390 sq mi) to the well-known temples at its core.[2] The closest rival to Angkor, the Mayan city of Tikal in Guatemala, was between 100 and 150 square kilometres (39 and 58 sq mi) in total size.[3] Although its population remains a topic of research and debate, newly identified agricultural systems in the Angkor area may have supported up to one million people.

I would think you could spend months here just exploring all that is in Angkor. It's one thing I knew very little about before starting this trip but now am so glad I've seen. Also, Siem Reap is a very happening city with loads of bars and restaurants catering to tourists. We've been able to try great local Khmer food and also have yummy $1 tacos and $1.50 margaritas. I wouldn't have thought it before coming here, but it's a great vacations spot, even if you just have a week or two.

Here's a few photos. To be honest, I have no idea what the names of these different temples are, sorry!