Desolation At Angkor

So many tourists, tour groups, vendors, vans, parking lots, moto taxis. Depending on which temple you visit, it can feel like Times Square during New Year's. With a little planning, it's possible to leave the modern world behind. Time of day, temple visited, angle chosen. Suddenly Angkor can look almost the way it did 800 years ago.

Entrance to Angkor Wat in the late afternoon.

Neak Pean. Chau Say Tevoda in the morning.

Another view of Chau Say Tevoda.

Two views of Ta Keo.

Back to Angkor Wat for dawn.

Tromping Through Ta Keo

Ta Keo temple at Siem Reap is a presence, a large-tiered stone cake that's unfinished at the top. Since it's between two of Angkor's most famous locations, plenty of tourists make the quick stop and take the climb to the top.

Double parked at the temple.

Looking like a stone aircraft carrier. An understated altar beside a set of stairs.

Between terraces.

The top sanctuary, unfinished. The starkness of the blunt stone is out of place at Angkor. That's better, a wall, full of carved details.

Mysterious vista from the top tier.