First of all, thanks for all the support yesterday. Sometimes it’s just good to know you’re not alone and yes, we all have bad days, weeks and months for that matter. The “soft answers” have been paying off and it sure makes a difference. I have a few stories to share about that, but first, let’s go back to Cambodia for a little bit….I fell asleep before I could post this last night.
When I pictured going to Angkor Wat, I was most excited about visiting this temple (Ta Prohm).
I was drawn to those mighty roots that have taken over so much stone.
I loved Ta Prohm just as much as I thought I would, but I was surprised that my very favorite temple turned out to be the Bayon.
I loved it so much I went three times.
This temple was built around 1190 AD and has big, huge peaceful faces everywhere you look.
I think there are 51 columns, each with four faces carved in the sides.
It was pretty impressive.
According to one account, the king (King Jayavarman VII) was hoping to be reincarnated as Buddha, so he had his face carved to look very similar to the Buddha ones you see.
Each one is a little bit different. I can’t even imagine how long it must have taken to carve all those monstrous things.
I posted a few of the entrance of this temple on Lucy’s birthday. This is the one she got to ride the elephant to (back here), and that’s all she cared about.
But the rest of us were pretty mesmerized by that place!
I loved the entrance…
…lined with demons on one side and warriors on the other.
Let’s get a closer look at one of the “restored” demon faces:
There we go.
I loved the carvings too that lined so many of the walls, telling their own stories.
Can you see all those faces?
The kids pretty much just loved that they could climb everywhere.
The gates surrounding the whole temple complex have their own faces.
I loved that.
My second trip there was right after sunrise at Angkor Wat the last morning. Most of my family had told me they were too tired to go again, so I snuck out and joined our friends.
It was just as gorgeous that time.
When I got home, all filled with wonder about this place, Claire’s sad face greeted me telling me she thought I was going to wake her up. Oh man, missing at “date” with that girl was hard on my heart. So we made our own special date while the big kids tried to work on some homework before we left for the airport.
And we took Grace along too.
We forgot my ticket and had to go back to the hotel, much to our chagrin, but it left more time for Tuk Tuk talk with these two.
This time we hung otu with the monkeys a little.
This picture was taken before we realized they were a little mean and started hissing at Grace. She got out of there speedy quick!
We had picked up these “elephant pants” for $2.50 the day before from one of the many women begging us to buy.
Let’s get a better look at those cool and comfy things:
There we go.
Our friends brought fans which were life-savers in the heat.
Best Cambodian temple dates ever…
…to a pretty great place.
Oh Wow! What an incredibly amazing and beautiful place! I love all the culture and history that your kids are able to experience. Thank you for sharing your journey, good and bad, with us. It makes me want to expose my kids (and myself) to more opportunities. What an awesome opportunity.
Love seeing the smiles on your kids' faces. You are having such an amazing family adventure, and it looks like the kids may be starting to appreciate that. They will never forget these experiences!
Oh my gosh how gorgeous!!! What an amazing opportunity and example you are showing them!
Awesome! I have always wanted to go to Angkor wat so I loved your photos. I have several friends who have been and said it was pretty amazing. I would love to go as a family in the future….I only have one boy who is 3.5 at the moment : ) I think it is so fantastic that you create such amazing, experiences for your kids and really broaden their horizons.