Angkor Wat

In 2011, Angkor Wat was named the eighth wonder of the world. It is also the largest religious wonder of the world and has become Cambodia's most well known symbol and attraction. Originally founded as a Hindu temple for the Khmer Empire in the early 12th century and serving also as the capital of the empire, it gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple toward the end of the century.

In order to capture the photo of its renowned sunrise, we had to be up well before dawn to make our way to the site and then claim a stakeout for another forty-five minutes. The view is of course well worth the wait. The reflecting pool in front of Angkor provides a stunning silhouette of the main temple, as pictured below.

About 30 miles from Siem Reap lies Phonum Kulen National Park. The site has two gorgeous waterfalls. The first is about 16 feet (5 meters for you metric folks, which is practically everyone) and 65 feet wide. The second, pictured below, is about 65 feet high and 50 feet wide. This waterfall was seen in the Tomb Raider movie.

Also in Phnom Kulen is a huge - approximately 55 feet long and 26 feet high - statue of the reclining buddha reaching nirvana, carved into and at the top of a number of giant boulders. It is accessible by concrete steps. At the top, you are provided an extended view of the forest canopy.

One of the most famous temples at Angkor, and one of my favorites, is Ta Prohm. It was built sometime in the late 12th century under the rule of King Jayavarman VII. The surreal trees - either silk-cotton or strangler fig - grow out of the ruins and are the site's most renowned feature. Like the waterfall at Phnom Kulen, this temple was also used in the film Tomb Raider. I must confess that while there, I had the sudden and inexplicable urge to raid a tomb.