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!
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| Somewhere on National Road 6 between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. |
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| We tried to catch sunset at Phnom Bakeng, but it was overcast. Still, very neat being atop an ancient temple as the world darkened. |
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| At the bottom of Phnom Bakeng temple ruins. |
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| Post-sunrise at the reflecting pools of Angkor Wat. |
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| Angkor Wat in all its glory. |
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| It's hard to believe the carvings in stone at the Angkorian temples. So detailed! |
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| The walkway up feels so ancient and history-laden! |
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| Lovely apsaras adorn stonework everywhere. |
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| Nagas come with five heads, or seven. |
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| The entrance to Angkor Thom is lined by gods and (pictured here) demons. |
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| Angkor Thom sports many towers with faces looking in the four cardinal directions. |
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| I love the dancing apsaras! |
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| From the top of Bayon temple. |
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| Gate into the royal pavilion. |
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| Ta Keo and the great Banyan Tree roots. |
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| Nature and manmade structures mix. |
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| Looking up one of the towers from the inside. It's said that jewels used to be in all those little holes. |
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| Ta Prohm as the trees take over. |
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| Recreating a photo from 11 years ago. |
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| An incredible reconstruction... this was all piles of fallen stones not long ago! |
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| 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. |
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| From the top of Kulen Mountain, where there is a temple with a reclining Buddha and a great view. |
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| 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. |
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A little boat ride through the mangroves in the
Tonle Sap.
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| The Tonle Sap in all it's glory! |
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| Biking through small villages and rice fields on our last morning in Siem Reap! |
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