The Outer Temples

Banteay Srei

'The Citadel of Woman,' touted as the prettiest temple in Cambodia. It probably has the most intricate carvings on the whole planet, and they continue to stagger experts world wide. These magnificent '3D' carvings in Red Sandstone are not be missed and really are one of the Ancient wonders of the world. The effect that they have on travellers is amazing...I took 300 photos at this one temple alone

Psar Russian ...Phnom Penh (Toul Tom Poung)

One of the great shopping spots in Phnom Penh is the Psar Russian (Russian Markets). Anything and everything can be bought and haggled for here. I bought some amazing silks and bed covers. Each shop keeper was friendly and not pushy. It really helps if you have a local friend to help you shop and barter. I was lucky to have Sophear with me and in some cases because of her local status and fluent Khmer I was getting 80% off the original price.
I was really surprised at the quality of the flowers at these markets. There are rows and rows of them and all cheap and beautiful quality. the same could be said for the materials and silks on offer.

The food on offer was amazing. Everything from ten different types of shrimps, snake or various types of Tarantulas!!! Just be careful not to buy any animal that is deemed to be under protection as this caries a large fine.

What does it all mean

I have learnt much from my time in Cambodia. Just by watching and talking to the locals much can be learnt. I was Lucky enough to speak to a monk who's English was way better than my Khmer and he took the time to explain his religion and beliefs. These made complete sense to me as they are life teachings more than a religion as I understand it. I have now just started to scratch the surface of something wonderful and that has now started me on an amazing life journey. I cannot wait to get back on April 8th to experience and learn more from these amazing people. Below are just some of these teachings:

Hold your family close every chance that you get

Have the discipline and vision to see your heroic mission – Dharma – and to ensure that it servers other people while you realize it.

Do the things you fear

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience

The quality of your life will come down to the quality of your contribution to others.

See yourself not as an individual, but as a part of collection

Life does not always give you what you want, but it always gives you what you need

Adversity is a fact of life. It can't be controlled. What we can control is how we react to it. No matter what happens to you keep trying and living the truths of life.

Never judge your self worth by somebody else’s net worth

Selflessly serve others

Embrace the present

Only true love of others will set you set you free and bring you peace in your life

Ankgor Thom...The Great City!!!!

Angkor Thom (Great City) is my personal favourite place. This is not simply a temple but a city of  temples which formed the last and largest capital of the mighty Khmer Empire.  The surrounding Gates and Motes of the city alone would swallow up any Cathedral in Europe. As soon as you enter the South Gate you realise the sheer size of the place and it it hard to fathom what the city must have looked like when it was home to over 1 Million people when London was merely 40000!!!! It was established in the late twelfth century by king Jayavaraman VII. It covers an area of over 10 km², within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors. At the centre of the city is Jayavarman's state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north. Bayon is my all time favourite temple with its fascinating 216, 2 meter high faces carved in the towers of the temple.

Angkor Thom was established as the capital of Jayavarman VII's empire, and was the centre of his massive building programme. One inscription found in the city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the city as his bride.
Angkor Thom seems not to be the first Khmer capital on the site, however. Yasodharapura, dating from three centuries earlier, was centred slightly further northwest, and Angkor Thom overlapped parts of it. The most notable earlier temples within the city are the former state temple of Baphuon, and Phimeanakas, which was incorporated into the Royal Palace. The Khmers did not draw any clear distinctions between Angkor Thom and Yashodharapura: even in the fourteenth century an inscription used the earlier name. (Higham 138) The name of Angkor Thom — great city — was in use from the 16th century.

Angkor Wat Temple.....this is the BIG one

Ok this is the big one. Welcome to heaven on earth on a scale that boggles the mind. Welcome to the largest religious monument ever built. Welcome to Ankgor Wat. It is said that a person will never forget those first few minutes in their life when for the first time that they see this Temple. Walking into that main gate for the first time and taking in the sheer scale of this temple is something I know that will stay with me forever. It makes European Cathedrals like St Pauls look like a local village church in comparison. The size and majesty of this place is really indescribable and can only be truly appreciated when visited. Photos dont do it any justice at all. I don't care what any hardened traveller has seen anywhere else in the world, this place stops everyone in their tracks on arrival. I cannot even fathom what the French explorers in the 1860's must have thought when they saw this temple for the first time. I took over 500 photos here and the Bas reliefs alone on the eastern wall are over 1 Km long and would take a whole day alone just to take them in.
.To finish our visit we climbed up to the top level and enjoyed the astonishing views over the jungle dotted with the many surrounding temples in the fading sunlight . Like I said , Heaven on Earth.