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Published: August 9th 2010
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What a day!! Very long and really hot day! but was ok cos we were in the presence of some incredible and extremely old temples- dating back to the 10th - 12th century. Talk about one massive history lesson today!
Our guide was awesome, her name was Channey, and if anyone comes to siem reap i recommend her 😊 Can't say much, might get her in trouble in case this blog is tapped by any officials.... but we learnt alot about the state of the cambodian governement now and relations with other countries. We liked her alot, maybe becase we like conspiracy theories 😊 - but hers are probably all true!! lots of evidence to back them up.
Took the tuk tuk to the temples, still love riding in those things - wind in your hair, hooning down the road open air - so cool. We first went to the biggest - Angkor Wat Temple. Its incredible that these were built for worship alone. This took 37 years to build all on free labor, and they architecture is incredible - using stone. These things are huge! We walked around many temples, but my favorite was... ahh!!! don't have my
book and i have forgotten the name!! But it was the last temple we went to, and as we got there it rained, which made it even more magical. Once you climbed the very steep steps inside, there were multiple like pillars of carved stone faces all around. It was like being transported into another time and place. The detail on these carvings - and they were huge walls of carvings, is incredible. They all tell stories, which i was so glad we had our guide to explain them all. It reminded me of pictures from the egyptian pyramids, where stories are told in stone - just the same. This country has been through war after war - with so many countries trying to claim it. - A very rich history. One of the kings had 1 wife and 2000 concubines!! At least the wife wouldn't have to fake a headache very often..... !!
Many of the temples were first hindu, but then changed to Buddhisim. So we learnt heaps about these religions which was fascinating.
The photos will tell the story as well 😊
This was a long day it some really hot weather, so the rain
was just what we needed.
We learnt so much from Channey. She said about how she was worried about our skin, and to protect it, as they prize having fairer skin. She says many cambodian will use skin creams to whiten their skin - we couldn't believe it! We said how many people in our country go to tanning beds, or sunbathe even with the risk of the sun to get brown! But to them brown skin for woman especially means you work outside - maybe a farmer, and it becomes almost a point of status. We talked heaps about the difference in cultures, and how things like valentines day, birthday cakes & singing happy birthday - and other western ideals are starting to become big over here. Many women are now going out an working for themselves, as once a woman marries her job is to her husband and family traditionally. We talked about the pros and cons of feminisim. I just hope that they retain what it is to be cambodian, and that what seems to be an idolising almost of western culture does not start to dominate so much. Hopefully they take the good, and leave
the bad out - but they already have started valentines day - thats not a good one.....
Aren't able to upload photos here where we are staying, so once we get to london (in a couple of days) will load photos from these blogs.
Just going to go out and get some dinner. We walked such a long way today, sleep will be a welcome friend.
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