Kicking it with Buddha

Here we are at Siam Reap with the world famous Angkor ruins.

The best way to explore the ancient temples is to hire a guide and a tuk tuk for the day.

We started at the most renowned temple of them all, Angkor Wat. It is the largest religious structure in the world. Around the temple, gardens, and fields is a mote. The whole construction took 36 years. That’s incredible for when it was built!! Next, we continued on to the Ta Prohm Temple which is famous for the filming of Tomb Rader and is also known as the Angelina Temple. The Temple was in the process of renovation since there was a lot of destruction during the Vietnam War. You could even see bullet holes in the stone. Most of the temples have been repaired and renovated. The last temple of the day was Angkor Thom. This was the most impressive temple! Standing before us were faces of Buddha in all different directions. As we pasted the main alter, we were giving insense and an orange bracelet which was tied around our wrist with a prayer for good luck.  

The next day we trekked out to Wat Thmey, a monastery in memory of those who died due to the Khmer Rouge. I don’t understand how wonderful the people can be when the government resembles the devil. Seeing a memorial of the killing fields really opens your eyes to how disgusting people can be. The small museum followed one man’s life as he was forced from his home in Pheom Pen to work in the fields. He was put in a reeducation camp due to suspicion of anti-Khmer Rouge association. By some greater power unknown to man he survived the camp and lived to tell the tale. This man saw torture tactics that are so cruel, a sane man wouldn’t believe them.

 

 

To many peoples’ dismay, the US govern was indirectly supporting the Khmer Rouge. We were assisting the anti-communist party with financial and warfare aid. Although the US government will not admit it, the anti-communist party was fighting side by side with the Khmer Rouge sharing military tactics and equipment. If I can hold my sources accountable, the leaders of the Khmer Rouge have never been put on trial. They actually are good friends with the minister of the state.

To lift our spirits from this experience, we continued on to the Cambodia Museum to learn about Buddhism, Cambodian tales, and the building of Angkor Wat. The museum was very impressive, especially after seeing the temples first hand.

That night we explored Pub Street. Wow, what a tourist trap!!! Even with all the neon lights and the ear shattering music, it was fun. We saw grilled snakes on a stick, fried tarantula, and baked crickets for sale. Ewww! $1 to eat, $.50 for a photo.

Suzie and I enjoyed drinks with some friends from San Luis Obispo. We shared travel stories and tips and then it was time for a tuk tuk home and a good night sleep.

 

We saw the sites, explored the museum, and got out of there as fast as we got there. Tomorrow is beach and massage time in southern Thailand!!