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Travel Pictures - CAMBODIA - 2001

All images © Ron Miller

        The travels begin in Siem Reap in northwestern Cambodia where tourists flock to
        visit the plethora of ruins that includes Angkor Wat. From northwest Cambodia we
        traveled across the country by hydrofoil to the capital city of Phnom Penh and,
        finally, to the mountainous and verdant southern coast.

Siem Reap is the travel hub for visitors exploring the amazing array of ruins that include Angkor Wat.
There are a variety of hotels catering to all travel budgets and, since the area is in the heart of southeast Asia,
you are assured of finding delicious fresh fruit (and, as always, the travelers' staple - banana pancakes!) -
Siem Reap, Cambodia
The first rays of sunlight add color to the main temple at Angkor Wat, which is perhaps the world's largest religious structure -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat, which means “city temple,” was built for king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
After crossing an enormous moat, visitors enter the temple grounds through this portico (structure in the background)
and then stroll the sandstone causeway to reach the main temple -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Window view of the main temple from the west portico -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
At the center of the temple stands a quincunx of towers (oriented like the five dots on a dice) with the tallest rising 210 feet -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
These two young boys pause for a photo while they diligently attempt to peddle souvenirs and avoid
the security guards whose main objective is to stifle the business practices of the illicit entrepreneurs -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is only one of many temple complexes that are spread out over an area the size of a large city -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Access to the central temple is via a dangerously steep stairway -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Tourists negotiating the top of the flight of stairs -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
As I said, dangerously steep!
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Most women wisely remove their high-heeled shoes before attempting the climb -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Getting down is even more difficult and could happen much more quickly -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Uh oh!
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
One of the young vendors on the temple grounds -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
This grand structure is one of several libraries within the temple complex -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Although the temple ruins are rather devoid of color, the surrounding jungle flora exudes more shades of green than I knew existed -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Looking back toward the west entrance -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Looking to the west northwest and the temple/hill of Phnom Bakheng -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Young Cambodians enjoying the dark and cool interior of the temple -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Another photo of Cambodian visitors enjoying the temple's dark interior -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
And yet another -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Adding to the color of the surrounding flora are the thousands of Cambodians walking the grounds -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Contemplating the descent of that precarious stairway -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The temple walls are decorated with a plethora of carvings -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
These feminine carvings (Devatas) are referred to as guardian spirits or guardian angels -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Close-up of the Devatas -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Another close-up of the carvings that adorn the temple's exterior -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
A group photo on a lofty balcony of the main temple -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
A lovely Cambodian tourist -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The local police would not permit tourists to enter the complex of ruins on rented motorbikes; therefore, visitors had to travel
by taxi (expensive) or on the back of tiny motorbikes driven by a personal guide/driver (as is often said, follow the money!) -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Me posing with both of our guides/drivers as well as a lovely restaurant hostess -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The Cambodians were extremely helpful and appreciative of the tourists -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Preparations a goin' on in the kitchen -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Many Cambodians sleep each night in a hammock which provides some ventilation during
the hot, humid nights as well as protection from creepy crawlies on the ground -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
A busy parking lot for some of the temple concessionaires -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
A rather creative form of transport -
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
One of several massive gates fortifying the complex of temples in the area. In Cambodia, the gates often have eyes (and faces) -
Angkor Thom, Cambodia
A total of 108 statues (54 on each side) line this entrance gate to the former capital city -
Angkor Thom, Cambodia
The statues on the left side (gods) are holding the head of the snake while those on the right side (demons) are holding the tail -
Angkor Thom, Cambodia
The carvings represent an aspect of the Hindu Myth of Creation called "The Churning of the Sea of Milk" -
Angkor Thom, Cambodia
The two columns of statues are tugging on opposite ends of the snake thus creating a whipping motion, churning the seas, and creating life -
Angkor Thom, Cambodia
My favorite ruin in the entire complex is Ta Prohm, which is still swallowed-up by the jungle -
Ta Prohm, Cambodia
All of the ruins (except perhaps Angkor Wat) looked like this before restoration -
Ta Prohm, Cambodia
Nowhere in the world can you feel more like Indiana Jones about to stumble on the Holy Grail ...
well, at least until the next group of tourists come strolling by! -
Ta Prohm, Cambodia
The vegetation at Ta Prohm provides much-welcomed shade for visitors -
Ta Prohm, Cambodia
The lush vegetation and elaborate root systems give a haunting feeling of isolation and abandonment - 
Ta Prohm, Cambodia
Vegetation along one of the perimeter walls -
Ta Prohm, Cambodia
How do these trees establish themselves on top of a ruin? -
Ta Prohm, Cambodia
The current policy at Ta Prohm, which leaves the vegetation's muscular root systems intact,
is somewhat controversial as it may lead to further structural damage -
Ta Prohm, Cambodia
Which door leads to the treasure? -
Ta Prohm, Cambodia
Although the growing root systems may cause further damage, they reveal in a stunning manner the constant struggle between man and nature -
Ta Prohm, Cambodia
The smooth and serpentine tree roots adorn the ruins like giant anacondas -
Ta Prohm, Cambodia
Another view of the muscular root system -
Ta Prohm, Cambodia
The Cambodians really seem to enjoy themselves while visiting the ruins -
Ta Prohm, Cambodia
This ruin, which might appear as nothing more than a pile of rocks, is actually an organized collection of towers with bas-reliefs incorporating
more than 11,000 figures including 200 gargantuan faces of the Buddha, Avalokiteshvara, who embodies the compassion of all Buddha's -
 The Bayon; Angkor Thom, Cambodia
Five of those 200 gargantuan faces -
The Bayon; Angkor Thom, Cambodia
Sitting atop a towering temple complex that is made entirely of sandstone -
Ta Keo, Cambodia
I am easily mistaken for Hercules while standing within the summit tower -
Ta Keo, Cambodia
The temple complex of Pre Rup is a brick construction that was once covered with plaster -
Pre Rup, Cambodia
The temple's summit affords a wonderful panorama of the region -
Pre Rup, Cambodia
The entrance to the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng becomes a circus in the evening since it is a popular location to view the sunset -
Phnom Bakheng, Cambodia
A group of young entertainers outside one of the temples -
Phnom Bakheng, Cambodia
Visitors can climb to the summit of the hilltop temple by foot or hire this pachyderm shuttle -
Phnom Bakheng, Cambodia
It costs only ten dollars (U.S. dollars) to come down from the summit, but a bit more to go up -
Phnom Bakheng, Cambodia
This hilltop temple has a wonderful view of the ruins of Angkor Wat (just right of center)
Phnom Bakheng, Cambodia
Brian climbs the last few stairs with all of his camera gear - no easy task in the heat and humidity; note the elephant just entering the grounds -
Phnom Bakheng, Cambodia
Not only is this hilltop temple popular for the view of Angkor Wat, but also the sunset -
Phnom Bakheng, Cambodia
Close-up of Angkor Wat
Phnom Bakheng, Cambodia
Hilltop view of the verdant rice paddies and palm trees typical of Cambodia -
Phnom Bakheng, Cambodia
Tourists eagerly awaiting the pending sunset -
Phnom Bakheng, Cambodia
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All images © Ron Miller
For authorized use of these photos, please contact Ron Miller at TheHappyCannibal@gmail.com