∏ while you were asleep

we get up early to be picked up by Borreth

and his driver Mr Don

it's 5:30am and we are on our way 

to Ta Phrohm

it's still dark but we have a torch

there's a heady resinous scent of bark

and the sounds of birds and animals

in the tall trees

we walk along the dusty pathway 

we are the only humans

 the sun rises

the temple is revealed

huge limbs of fig and silk-cotton tree

weave through the walls

it's otherworldly 

beautiful carvings 

false doorways

devatas peering through roots from a spung tree

flocks of parrots above our heads

it was magical 

we head back to our hotel for breakfast

then Borreth is waiting for us for the next temple visit

Angkor Thom {the Great City}

at it's centre, the Bayon

52 towers

each with four peaceful faces

mysterious smiles

some 2 meters high

at Baphoun, the Reclining Buddha

9 meters high, at rest

at past midday it is 37 degrees

70% humidity

time to start our way back

past the Terrace of the Elephants

to the gate

where another elephant waits to go through

faces line the bridge over the moat

a Christmas day to remember