It was a super early start for a sunrise experience this morning at Angkor Wat. We left the hotel at 450am for the 15 minute drive and 15 minute walk into to Angkor Wat area. 

Our Siem Reap Guide, Park, is a photographer so he was keen to give us a great Angkor Wat sunrise experience. He got us a spot on the rock wall looking across the moat to the gates and temple of Angkor Wat, and helped Kerri out with better locations for the tripod. Luckily the thunder storm stayed away and we witnessed a magnificent sunrise over the temple. 

The complex is massive, 1.3km x 1.5km surrounded by a 200m wide moat. In the centre there is a 3 level temple. 

We got to walk through the grounds passing libraries and ponds, and then through the levels of the temple. There were walls of carvings showing religious history and pools etc. 

Cambodian history means that the artefacts have been impacted by changes from Buddhism to Hindu and back, and looting in both ancient and more modern history. 

The highest level was historically for the king and senior people only, and is accessible by really steep stairs that were actually easy stairs made for tourists. Only 45 degree timber stairs, not 70 degree stone steps.  The climb was worth it for the view over the entry gates. 

There is a large  amount of restoration work underway to address issues at the site. 

All up we did about 5km of walking by 8am, and the humidity meter had already peaked. 

We were back to the hotel by 9am ready for brekky and a relax. We’ve had a busy second half of the day but it’s 1030pm now and we are exhausted so will update this afternoon and this evening in tomorrow’s edition.