When we decided to change our itinerary around and cut out Nepal, we knew visiting Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia was a must for us. Made up of more stone than the Egyptian pyramids and covering more ground than modern-day Paris, Angkor Wat and its neighboring temples are simply awe-inspiring.

For some quick background, Angkor (or "city" in Sanskrit) was the center of the Khmer empire, which ruled over all of Southeast Asia from approximately the 9th to the 15th centuries. Recently scientists determined that Angkor had been the largest pre-industrial city in the world! There were over 1,000 temples built during the rule of the Khmer Empire, and this post covers our visit to three of them: Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Thom.

We started at Angkor Wat, the most famous of the three temples and the largest religious monument in the world!

The temple was built in the 12th century as the capital of the Khmer Empire, commissioned by King Suryavarman II as his state temple and mausoleum. Constructed over 30 years, Angkor is the earthly representation of Mt. Meru, the Mt. Olympus of the Hindu faith.

We had to take a photo at the famous reflecting pool.  At sunrise, this area is completely packed to the brim with tourists trying to snap a shot of the sunrise over the temple and its reflection. — We had to take a photo at the famous reflecting pool. At sunrise, this area is completely packed to the brim with tourists trying to snap a shot of the sunrise over the temple and its reflection.

A carved version of the Ramayana, a great Hindu epic. — A carved version of the Ramayana, a great Hindu epic.

Our guide pointing out the many nymph carvings that adorn Angkor Wat.

I forgot to mention that my camp friend, Matt Wasserman, also came to Siem Reap when we were there so we all toured together! It felt like teen tour and camp all over again!! This is Matt below bargaining with a tough saleslady.

little hawker angkor wat siem reap cambodia

There are tons of monkeys hanging out near Angkor Wat, waiting for tourists to walk by to steal from them. Stephen fed them some bananas that we had brought with us as a snack.

angry monkey angkor wat siem reap cambodia

The second temple that we visited was Ta Prohm. This was our favorite of the three main Angkor temples as it has been left in pretty much the same condition as it was when it was rediscovered a few centuries ago. Surrounded by jungle, with trees growing out of the ruins, Ta Prohm was like nothing we'd ever seen.

Ta Prohm is also where many scenes in the movie Tomb Raider were filmed!

Ta Prohm was built in the late 12th and early 13th century, commissioned by Khmer King Jayavarman VII in honor of his father. The temple was constructed during the time of the conversion of the Khmer people from Hinduism to Buddhism, and thus, Ta Prohm is a Buddhist temple. During King Jayavarman's reign, he altered many existing Hindu temples to display images of the Buddha, including Angkor Wat.

If you stand inside one of the structures and bang on your chest, you can hear a really cool hollow-sounding echo.

Amazing trees take on a life of their own at Ta Prohm.

You can't be in Asia and NOT take a million selfies. — You can't be in Asia and NOT take a million selfies.

The last major temple we visited was Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. Angkor Thom was also built by King Jayavarman VII, the greatest of the Angkorian kings.

Beginning in the late 12th century, invaders from what is now southern Vietnam sacked part of the Khmer empire. As a result, Angkor Thom was built as a walled city to keep out invaders.

Entering the walled city of Angkor Thom.

A little lady trying to sell us some patterned pants.  I think she forgot hers! — A little lady trying to sell us some patterned pants. I think she forgot hers!

At the center of Angkor Thom lies Bayon, a massive temple with giant faces carved into the stone. Tourists are allowed to climb throughout the ruins in the many nooks and crannies. We all agreed that it'd be an amazing place to play hide and seek!

Climbing the very shallow steps at Bayon.

Bayon reflected in the moat surrounding it.

The following morning, Stephen, Matt and I woke up at the literal crack of dawn to watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat. Although it was gorgeous and we were glad we made the trip, everyone and their mother was there, with their cameras raised above their heads trying to snap a shot of the sunrise and the reflection in the water. Not peaceful, but a bucket list item checked off nonetheless.

Snapping tourists everywhere!  It's always fun turning the camera on them. — Snapping tourists everywhere! It's always fun turning the camera on them.

One last look back at the amazing Angkor Wat in the early morning sun.

The Angkor temples have been restored over many decades and continue to be restored everyday. But the sheer size of the empire and therefore the work to be done, along with the nearly two million tourists that visit each year, threaten the preservation of these amazing temples and archaeological wonders. I highly recommend that everyone visit Angkor Wat soon, before they stop letting people get up close and personal with the temples!

- Michelle