Angkor Wat/Siem Reap, Cambodia (October 8-11, 2008)

Siem Reap in northwestern Cambodia is the gateway to Southeast Asia's most spectacular temple complex: Angkor Wat. Most visitors head straight to the temple grounds, but Siem Reap has plenty more sights to offer visitors, from Tonle Sap Lake (Cambodia's "Great Lake") to the floating village of Chong Kneas.

The temples at Angkor were built by the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 13th centuries and cover approximately 40 miles surrounding Siem Reap. The most famous complex is known as the City of Angkor, and is home to Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and the Bayon.

Angkor Wat was built by Suryavarman II during the 12th century and is surrounded by a moat 570 feet wide and approximately 4 miles longThe view from the steps of Angkor Wat back towards the entrance gate

One of the many beautiful wall carvings in Angkor Wat

A monkey inside the temple hopes for some lunch from a group of nearby monks

A pond of water in the temple courtyard reflects the towers of Angkor Wat

An artist sells Buddha paintings outside the temple grounds