We drove on past smaller temples and cross the causeway, lined with superb sculpted figures, into the magnificent South Gate of Angkor Thom, the capital area.

Causeway to South Gate, Angkor Thom

The central temple here, the Bayon, is famous for its great stone faces; climb up to get a close up and a great photo.

Bayon face

Bayon: superb detail

Nearby is the 350m long Elephant Terrace, with its wonderful frieze. You can get elephant rides near here, too.

Elephant rides

We continued round the rest of the site, passing other fine temples like this Preah Khan, finishing our tour at the amazing Ta Prohm. This is the famous temple that was almost literally swallowed up by the jungle, covered in great trees that have wrapped it in strangleholds of roots and branches - a must for your photos and videos.

Trees at Ta Prohm

Trees at Ta Prohm

Trees at Ta Prohm

Trees at Ta Prohm

On the way back to the hotel, we pass the modern Combatants’ Memorial, an impressive structure whose design incorporates Khmer motifs from Angkor.

In the evening, we visit another of Angkor’s temples where the Grand Hotel are setting up a special outdoor dinner and show for a visiting group. Our tour operator has suggested this for us, and it certainly looks fabulous.

Temple dinner setting

Next instalment soon!

John Brown

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