Angkor: Day Two

Angkor Wat is big. Really big. It dwarfs even Hawaiian-shirt Min Gi. It's hard not to wonder how on earth these structures were built so long ago.

The second day of the honeymoon, we rose at 4 a.m. to make it out to the main temple, Angkor Wat, for a 6 a.m. sunrise. Walking to the temple in the dark was very spooky--especially because we forgot our flashlight back at the guesthouse. Fortunately, Min Gi had brought his cell phone!

Sunrise--minus the sun. Very crowded on the hill where we could view it, but definitely worth the trip!

We spent about three early morning hours exploring Angkor Wat, before the crowds overrun it. It is by far the most impressive temple in the park (hence why the whole park is named for it). The grounds and towers are massive and from the top you can see out over most of the whole city. The innermost temple (quite a steep stair climb up) is still a sacred site for the Khmer, so you have to cover your shoulders. I had stupidly worn one of the few sleeveless shirts I wore all vacation on that day, so I almost missed out on the experience. Fortunately, a kind tour guide loaned me his scarf so that I could go up with my husband. In the album there is a sad picture of Min Gi looking down at me left behind.

Making himself at home.

The other temples on the "Grand Circuit" were less crowded than the "Little Circuit" and much more interesting. My favorite temple site in the whole complex was Ta Prohm, known as the "jungle temple."

Ta Prohm was half nature, half ruin. It was amazing and totally kicked the Tomb Raider temple's butt for awesome gnarly trees destroying the stone walls.

Min Gi leaves a wake of destruction in his farmer-hat-wearing trail. (caption credit to Leah).

I think I took many of my favorite pictures from the whole trip on this day, so you really should check out the full 104-picture album:

Angkor Wat and the "Grand Circuit" Temples