Thursday, November 25, 2021

Thankful for Adventures!

As I type, the aromas of turkey and cranberries and apple crumble and pumpkin pie make my stomach rumble. We are preparing for Thanksgiving dinner, with parents in the kitchen, sister-in-law on the couch petting the dog, and brother relaxing in the guest room. We each have our dishes that we make, per tradition, which makes the day less of a scramble for one or two people, and a more calm, cooperative experience for all of us. 

I arrived in the U.S. a week ago and have almost kicked the jet lag. Last night I slept the night through, which is a good sign. Yesterday, my brother and sister-in-law arrived. It's such a pleasure catching up with everyone, all of us petting and complimenting Jacques when he behaves (or demands pets). The weather is cold - especially compared to Cambodia! - but with bright blue skies. 

Two weekends ago, I took a different kind of trip: a visit to Siem Reap and its surrounding temples and natural wonders. Below are some pictures from that trip. Enjoy!


Somewhere on National Road 6 between Phnom
Penh and Siem Reap.

We tried to catch sunset at Phnom Bakeng, but it 
was overcast. Still, very neat being atop an ancient
temple as the world darkened. 

At the bottom of Phnom Bakeng temple
ruins. 

Post-sunrise at the reflecting pools of Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat in all its glory. 

It's hard to believe the carvings in stone
at the Angkorian temples. So detailed!

The walkway up feels so ancient and
history-laden!

Lovely apsaras adorn stonework
everywhere.

Nagas come with five heads, or seven. 

The entrance to Angkor Thom is lined by gods and
(pictured here) demons. 

Angkor Thom sports many towers with
faces looking in the four cardinal
directions.

I love the dancing apsaras!

From the top of Bayon temple. 

Gate into the royal pavilion. 

Ta Keo and the great Banyan Tree roots.

Nature and manmade structures mix.

Looking up one of the towers from the inside. It's
said that jewels used to be in all those little holes.

Ta Prohm as the trees take over.

Recreating a photo from 11 years ago.

An incredible reconstruction... this was all piles of 
fallen stones not long ago!

Waterfall at Phnom Kulen, the mountain from
whence much of the stone for the Angkor temples
was quarried. Lovely waterfall, with an inexplicable
wooden swing. 

From the top of Kulen Mountain, where there is a 
temple with a reclining Buddha and a great view.

At the Kulen Mountain temple, there was a procession
with music, costumes, glowing golden parasols, and 
people of all ages dancing and singing!


Traditional homes on stilts in the Tonle
Sap lake. 

A little boat ride through the mangroves in the 
Tonle Sap.

The Tonle Sap in all it's glory!



Biking through small villages and rice fields on our
last morning in Siem Reap!



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