The Small Tour Circuit

I saved the best for "last."  I have to say it was probably the most amazing day yet on my adventure.  It all went smoothly -- I was the first to be picked up by the bus (and the driver remembered me and laughed:  ha ha today we remember you!); the group was smaller (only 6); and the guide had much better English skills.

And well, the temples were the 4 star temples on a 3 star scale.  Really -- that is what the guide books all show!  The only "bummer" is the continued, pervasive air quality through out the entire region.  I haven't seen a blue sky for a long time so the distance pictures are all gray haze.

The temples vary in finish -- some have been restored while others are more natural.  And even the restored temples only have sections that are renewed.  Temple visiting requires Walking & Stair Climbing & Scrambling & Peeking up and down corridors and into small rooms.  One could visit these temples many times and still find new vistas.

There are also long carved murals telling epic tales (mostly Hindu) and portraying daily life.

Here are some photos (I only took about 500 yesterday) from Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm (um visions of Angelina Jolie in the jungle), and Angkor Thom.  Plus a couple of other temples.  All of these are pretty crowded as "everyone must see them."  For good reason.