Visitors Guide to Siem Reap and the Angkor Temples
Our hotel distributed the paper version of this very handy guide. We wore out our copy! I was delighted to find they have an Internet version.
History of Cambodia to present day:
(Excerpt) "Since 1990 Cambodia has gradually recovered, demographically and economically, from the Khmer Rouge regime, although the psychological scars affect many Cambodian families and émigré communities. It is noteworthy that Cambodia has a very young population and by 2005 three-quarters of Cambodians were too young to remember the Khmer Rouge years. Members of this younger generation may know of the Khmer Rouge only through word of mouth from parents and elders. In part, this is because the current government does not require that educators teach children about Khmer Rouge atrocities in the schools."
The Archeology of the Angkor Temples
Detailed information, maps and photos of the various sites.
Angkor Temples and Ruins
"Earth Documentary" has a great collection of photos.
Landmines in Cambodia
(Excerpt) "At the current rate of progress, it may take as many as 100 years to clear all the mines in Cambodia, and the UN estimates that with current technology, it will take nearly 1,100 years to clear all the mines in the world."
A more reassuring statement from another website (no link noted):
"But as a tourist, if your visit is limited to the Angkor temples, with no trips further than Banteay Srei, Roluos, or a boat ride on the Tonle Sap you have absolutely nothing to fear. But if you're planning a trip to Anlong Veng, Preah Vihear, or Koh Ker - take a guide and take common sense, but don't let the fear prevent you from seeing the many positive things Cambodia offers."
The Tonle Sap Lake Massacre
By Ranachith (Ronnie) Yimsut
Here's the introductory paragraph to this horrific tale, which was probably repeated all over Cambodia. This one was especially compelling, since we no doubt drove right past the site of this massacre on our way to Tonle Sap Lake:
"Ronnie Yimsut was 13 years old when the Khmer Rouge swept into Phnom Penh in 1975. He and his extended family were removed from their homes in Siem Reap, near the famed ruins of Angkor, and forced to work in collective camps. During the last week of 1977, Ronnie's family was herded up for the last time before being killed by the Khmer Rouge. Of the dozens killed on that December day, only Ronnie survived. Today Ronnie is a landscape architect for the National Forest Service. He lives in Bend, Oregon, with his wife and two children."
1. Built from 879-1191 AD at the zenith of the Khmer civilization, the temples represent the world's most amazing and enduring architectural achievements.
2. Angkor had a population of over one million, and was the spiritual center for the Khmers until it was abandoned after being sacked by the Thais in 1431 The ruling Khmer God-kings controlled a vast territory in the twelfth century, extending south, to the Mekong delta in present-day Vietnam, north into Laos, and west over large tracts of what is now Thailand.
3. The surviving structures today are but a fraction of the whole stunning picture, which included a huge city whose wooden buildings—houses, markets, shops, palaces, and public buildings—have long since been destroyed by war and time.
4. The best preserved, and most visited, are Angkor Wat, the Bayon, and Ta Prohm, which were first restored by the French, who established an Angkor Conservancy in 1908.
Angkor Wat Built to honor the Hindu god Vishnu, it is the world's largest religious building and took some 50,000 artisans, workers and slaves, and nearly 40 years, to complete. Virtually every surface in the maze of chambers and courtyards is richly decorated with low-relief scenes of legends, wars and everday life, enhanced by carvings of nearly 2,000 apsaras, or celestial dancers.
The Bayon At the center of Angkor Thom (" Great City") which forms the heart of the Angkor complex as it is today. The Bayon forms a 3-tiered pyramid with 54 towers, each dominated by over 200 huge, 4-meter high faces, facing out to the north, south, east and west. Each mystically serene countenance, with closed eyelids and faint smile, represents a "Bodhisattaya" (fully enlightened being) who delays entry into Nirvana to aid the spiritual development of others. At the center of Angkor Thom (" Great City") which forms the heart of the Angkor complex as it is today. The Bayon forms a 3-tiered pyramid with 54 towers, each dominated by over 200 huge, 4-meter high faces, facing out to the north, south, east and west. Each mystically serene countenance, with closed eyelids and faint smile, represents a "Bodhisattaya" (fully enlightened being) who delays entry into Nirvana to aid the spiritual development of others.
Barbara Halliday,
March 10, 2008