Ta Prohm

	This temple-spotting is exhausting in the tropical heat. So we held a siësta at lunchtime to be completele fit for Ta Prohm. Ta Prohm is one of the most popular attractions of Angkor. Unlike the other monuments of Angkor, Ta Prohm has been left to the jungle and looks very much the way most of the monuments appeared when European explorers stumbled upon them.

Angkor was more touristy than I had expected, but compared to Western standards this tourism was still in its infancy. At every temple kids waited for you to arrive. They sold t-shirts, scarfs, postcards, bracelets, flutes and the much appreciated "cold drinks".

Some of the temple buildings are crushed by the awesome powers of the jungle!

These are Apsara's, celestial dancers.

	So much for the first day. On the morning of the second day we did what is known as "the Big Circuit". Back in the early days of tourism (1920s) people underwent the Angkor experience on the back of an elephant following a standard route. Nowadays cars follow this route. The first temple is pre Rup, build in the 10th century. The second picture is of Ta Som, which is in a ruined state.

This is the centre of Preah Neak Pean, a late 12th century Buddhis temple. Around it are four square pools. The old Khmer probably had a great time swimming here.