旅の思い出・番外編ーアンコールワットの旅(1) Memories of trips-extra edition-No.1. Trip to Angkor Wat-the Buddhist remains in Cambodia

旅の思い出・番外編ーアンコールワットの旅(1)　Memories of trips-extra edition-No.1.　Trip to Angkor Wat - the magnificent Buddhist remains in Cambodia

On March 9 2018, it was terribly raining in the early morning. We were in a hurry to Narita International Airport looking at my watch. The Keisei Line was delay because of heavy rain. I could remember September 2016 when we couldn't fly to Angkor Wat because of an engine trouble of an airplane of Vietnam Airlines. On that day we were waited at Narita International Airport for a long time.

But this time there was no problem of our flight. The service of Vietnam Airlines was enough satisfied.

I visited Angkor ruins which was designated as World Heritage Site including Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom in 2004. It is located in the north side of Siem Reap in the kingdom of Cambodia. It is said this area was developed from about the 9th  century and this town had been the largest in the World in the 12th century. Cambodia was suffered from Civil War in 1970's and 1980's, and this area had been also ruined. But Japanese scholars have helped the preservation of this area. To our surprise, a Japanese wrote graffiti on the wall of Angkor Wat  in 1632, whose name was Morimoto Ukondayu（森本　右近太夫）. It is said there were many Japanese towns in Cambodia in the early 17th century.

The area of Angkor ruins were well preserved and kept in good. There were many dustbins and sanitary restrooms in this area. And many Europeans were seen everywhere. They moved by bicycles or small cabs with motorcycles. Most Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans moved by sightseeing buses. 

And to my surprise, there were many Lexus made by Toyota Motor Corporation's in Siem Reap. About 40% or 50% of cars there were seemed Lexus bland. Lexus bland is one of the highest cars in Japan. Why?  Later I heard used cars of Lexus were imported from the U.S., because Lexus was very popular in Cambodia.

Siem Reap International Airport or Angkor International Airport as a popular name.

the entrance of Angkor Thom. This is the southern gate of the castle town. Angkor Thom means a large town and it was built about the end of the 12th century.

surrounding moats around Angkor Thom. The shape of Angkor Thom is a square of side three kirometer. Many deities form a line in each side of the bridge. 

the southern gate of the castle town. Human faces are carved on large stones with smiles.

Bayon means a beautiful tower. It is said the style of this temple has fused Buddhism and Hinduism

two beautiful and elegant queens carved on the stone. It is said the King of Angkor Thom got married a woman, but unfortunately she died soon. And he married again her sister.

detailed sculptures on the walls. Many soldiers and elephants are depicted.

 each tower has four faces with smiles. They were looked gentle.

Many giantic stones are piled up. I wonder how Khmers built these structures.

gigantic but elaborate.