Climbing to the top of Angkor wat, up the steep steps, is all part of the experience. Apparently they made the steps steep so that people couldn’t ascend upright, but rather, had to scramble upwards so that they would enter the temple with their head bowed. A way of making sure they showed enough respect. And as steep as it looked from the bottom looking up, it was nothing compared to how steep it looked from the top looking down. The final level is the one with the spires at the top and the view out over the temple and moat was amazing and well worth the climb. As you can see there are areas off limits to climbing, and places to sit for those who would rather sit and read than make the ascent, and new steps with handrails for the less adventuresome. Angkor wat is listed in most books as one of the places that you must see before you die, or is that great places to see where you might die while visiting just trying to get up and down the stairs.
Pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26080359@N08/sets/72157623829548796/
Too bad you weren't living near these steps when you were training for judo competitions. Scampering up them like a chipmunk, dressed in trash bags, blasting ZZ Top, La Grange...
ReplyDeletetalk about ancient history... i had forgotten those training days of my youth...after this trip think i have to head back to getting in shape again..
ReplyDeleteAs long as you hang out with me, you'l at least look like your in top shape ;-)
ReplyDelete