Although only having been in Cambodia less than two hours, I understood why friends had said sandals would be much better than thongs or crocs. It was very hot and I sat on the balcony and had a nice hot cup of tea. The time was now 9.40 am (Cambodia time) and I was undecided whether to go to the temples now or wait till after four o'clock and see the sunset, and only have to pay $20 for a one day pass.
Might ask the driver to take me around town. Asked Da would my driver drive me around town, she beckoned him over and I was asked what did I want to see? I knew I wanted to see the Old Market and the garden of the Royal Palace and generally drive and walk around the streets. I told Pookeah "This is your country - you show me your country" to which he replied, "You want to do a country tour?" I didn't, that wasn't what I had had in mind at all, but I didn't know how to convey this without sounding rude.
After consultation with Da who suggested would I like to see a silkworm farm? - yes I would, it was decided. And so - we set off. We crossed over the lovely bridge and drove along the river. We stopped at this magnificant looking colourful place and my driver said he would wait for me here, in the same place he dropped me off. We were outside Preah Promreah Pagoda. (He said it wasn't a temple, it was a pagoda.)
Opposite the Siem Reap River is Wat Preah Prom Rath Temple and Pagoda - the largest and most astounding pagoda in Siem Reap town, Cambodia. This was my very first experience of temples or pagodas and my jaw dropped with the splendour of it all. (I could almost hear Mary Poppins saying, "Close your mouth Michael - we are not a codfish!") I saw the most beautiful and intricate things I've ever seen in my life, highly decorated mouldings, all in perfect condition and undamaged.
The landscaped and sculpted gardens you see above are only a fraction of what I saw. Lovely bright flowers, delightful displays of exotic plants. In the top left photo is a monk walking slowly along a path.
The photo above left shows stupas, the middle one is of a decorative peacock, while the photo on the top right is of Naga - the multi-headed serpent.
Naga
Naga is a mythical multi-headed serpent with a large crested head resembling a cobra, symbolising might, wealth, prosperity and fertility and is guardian of the Buddha and protector of earthly waters.
Take off your shoes!
As I approached the temple (second photo in post 39), I knew to remove my sandals before entering. It is considered a sign of disrespect to enter the temples wearing shoes/sandals/etc. I happend to meet Lisa and her husband and we had a chat about what we had seen so far and what our respective agendas were. We had met earlier at the airport.
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