Siem Reap is loaded with Wats or temples. Many of them are off the beaten track, several kilometers away from each other, and incredibly hard for the western brain to comprehend both in their size and their age. The most famous of Wats is of course Angkor...plans are in the works for us to purchase a three day pass which will allow us entry to Angkor (considered to be the largest religious structure in the world). In the mean time we have begun to check off the list of surrounding (free) temples in and around or part of town.
The photographs posted here are from one such temple: Wat Athvea. Built in the 11th century this particular Wat gets little attention from visitors but well worth the tuk tuk ride. Made of sandstone it was built by Suryavarman II who would leave Wat Athvea undecorated and polished to go on an build Angkor Wat. Nevertheless, walking around Wat Athvea's ancient walls and structures is the true definition of awesome. Just outside the enclosed wall lies a modern day Wat run by the Buddhist monks (where the photograph of the golden Buddha is from).
