I don’t have enough adjectives to describe what it wa like to watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat. Although my photos don’t do it justice, they will give you a rough idea of the grandeur of this sacred spot. It was worth getting up at 4:30 in the morning to view this remnant of an amazing civilization!
The moat surrounding Angkor Wat represents the ocean you cross to enter heaven; it also serves as a wonderful mirror, heightening the beauty of the structure.
Although we did a lot more today, there are only photos of Angkor Wat because anything else would look puny by comparison.
The five towers were constructed to resemble closed Lotus buds. The central tower represents Mount Meru, the home of the gods.
Only the king and monks were allowed on the third level of Angkor Wat and they were required to CRAWL up to show respect for the gods, so the stairs were suitably steep.
Although I don’t smoke cigarettes or eat products with hydrogenated oil, I HAVE been known to occasionally engage in risky behavior. Besides, I wanted to get in touch with my inner goddess, so of course I was climbing to the third level. The view was spectacular!
I think I might have even had a vision of the Buddha. 
Or could it be that the altitude produced hallucinations?
What a relief that I didn’t have to crawl up. After a few people fell from the stone steps, this wooden staircase was constructed. Only 43 steps to the top, but like the original, they were quite steep.
Since this is a shorter post, why not have a little contest? This one is fairly easy.
1. During this trip we have visited two places that were settings for movies. What were the movies,
2. and where were the locations?
3. Of the 4 countries we are visiting, which are constitutional monarchies and which are people’s republics?
4. Whose picture is on the Bhat?
5. What is the difference between the Chinese Buddha and the Buddha in the other Southeast Asian countries?
6. What precious stone is the emerald Buddha made of?
7. Who taught her granddaughter to cross streets fearlessly?
Destination NOW 
How wonderful that you had a lovely morning for your visit to Angkor Wat. Your photos are spectacular!
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I was just looking at your photos again, when your comment popped up on my iPad.
I’ve skipped several days–just haven’t been able to keep pace–but I realized you and I liked the same demon faces at Angkor Thom.
I loved the village visit with Fabien–wasn’t she wonderful?
This trip has exceeded my high expectations and it isn’t over yet!
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Your photos are amazing as always!!!
The only question i have an answer for is #7. Dear old Grammy. She would think you were crazy if she knew you were traveling to all these countries.
Enjoy everything and keep the pictures coming. I am sharing them with the kids and they are fascinated.
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OK ready for all my answers
1) Hangover Two, Tomb Radier, musical “Chess”
2) Distil Bar 64th Floor Sky Bar, Bangkok, Ta Prohm, Cambodia, Bangkok
3) Monarchies: Thailand, Cambodia
People Republic: Laos, Vietnam
4) Thai King: King Bhumibal Adulyadej
5) Chinese Buddha: Fat & Happy (smiling)
Thai & Laos buddha: Thin & Serious
6) Emeral Buddha: Made of Jade
7) GRAMMY
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tomb raider is one movie
grammy is the last answer.
i’m lost on the rest of them as i paid more attention to the beautiful pics than some of your writing!!
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Q 1 & 2
The Tomb- Raider / Ta Prohm
The King and I- old Siam now Thailand
When you get to Vietnam -The Quiet American……looking for xtra points?
3. constitutional monarchies Thailand and Cambodia
People’s Republics Laos and Vietnam.
4. King Mongkut also knows as Rama IV
5. Chinese Buddha? He is fat and smiling
6. Jade
7. Grandmother
please remember that you are my hermana preferida…………..I am looking for extra points. Much love.
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For some reason, all the posts you sent me, I put in personal. I can’t do the test until I read all the posts again. I can’t retrieve any of them
However question 7 is Grammy!
What she told me was, (Pedestrians have the right of way!) They have to stop! I dare any try to run her over!!! After that I always ran across the street. I couldn’t stand the screeching tires and all the horns blowing!
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Lin, just go to http://www.d estinationnow.me That should get you right to the site. Gee, I thought using stuff from prior posts would make it easier, but it looks like google and Wikipedia work better!
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I’m not sure I have all the posts but here goes
1. Tomb Raider
Hangover II
2. Ta Prong
Bangkok
3. The Monarchies are Thailand & Cambodia
The Peoples Republic are Laos & Vietnam
4. The denominations are
20 Bhat-King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) March 2003
50 Bhat-King Mongkut Rama (VI) March 2004
100 Bhat-Rama V & Rama VI Oct. 2005
500 Bhat-King Nangklou Rama III Aug 2001
1000 Bhat-King Bhumibal Adulyadej Nov 2005
I did not have that email so I had to do the research.
5. The Chinese Buddha is fat and happy (smiling)
The Thai & Laos Buddha is thin & not so happy (serious)
6. The Emerald Buddha is really made of jade.
7. Grammy
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Just getting around to my answers. 🙂
1 and 2. Tomb Raider…..Ta Prohm
Hang Over……..Sky Bar…..Bangkok
3. Thailand and Cambodia……Constitutional Monarchies
Laos and Vietnam……………People’s Republics
4. Rama IX and in 2012 King Bhumibai Adulyadej
5. The China Buddha is a lesser Buddha and is fat and jolly…..his name is Hotei after a Chinese Zen monk. The historical Buddha from Theravada Buddhism is svelt and serene (Prince Siddhartha Gautama).
6. The Emerald Buddha is actually made of emerald green jadeite. Some say it is green jasper but I will stay with jadeite which is different from jade.
7. Who is buried in Grant’s tomb???? I’ll have to guess your grandmother taught you to cross streets fearlessly. 🙂
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Excellent! All correct.
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I almost forgot…..when you come to Hilton Head you can rub Hotei’s belly and make a wish.
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