Angkor Thom

The ancient city of ancient city of Angkor Thom which means "Great City" in Khmer was founded by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. At its height, it may have supported a population of 1 million people.

The Southern Gate

 

A row of gods carrying a giant serpent - a motif taken from the story of the Churning of  the Ocean of Milk as found in the bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat

 

 

End of Day 1

Everywhere you go, there will be children trying to sell you something

 

Dinner before going back to the hotel

Phnom Bakheng

We came here to see the sunset views across Angkor but the place was packed with people. This temple was built by King Yasovarman I (AD 889-910) in honour of the Hindu God, Shiva

The steep climb to the top of the hill

 

 

The Temple

At the top of the temple

 

 

After the climb - see my shirt

 

Going  down before it got dark

 

Wat Thmei

It has a small stupa that contains the remains of the victims of  Khmer Rouge.

A killing field

 

Artisans d' Angkor

This centre provides training for young cambodians and at the same time provides them with  jobs.

 

Siem Reap

We flew to Siem Reap International Airport from Singapore by SilkAir. Upon arrival, we checked into our hotel for lunch before starting our tour

 

We stayed at the Angkor Century Resort & Spa Hotel

 

 

 

 

Lunch at the hotel

The Kingdom of Cambodia

Cambodia was our first destination in 2006. Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire was where we wanted to see.

 

The temples here are scattered around in isolated places in Angkor and you will need a driver and a guide to get from one temple to another.

Day 1
Flight from Singapore to Siem Reap International Airport
Check into Angkor Century Resort & Spa Hotel
Lunch in hotel
Artisan d’ Angkor
Wat Thmei
Bakheng (to see sunset)

Day 2
Angkor Thom
Bayon Temple
Elephant Terrace
Baphuon
Terrace of the Leper King
Angkor Wat
Ta Keo
Ta Prohm
Banteay Kdei
Sra Srang

Day 3
Boat ride in Tonle Sap to visit floating village
Siem Reap Town
Pre Rup
Banteay Srei
East Mebon
Ta Som
Neak Pean
Preah Khan
Dinner at cultural show

Day 4
War Museum
Cambodian Cultural Village

Afternoon flight home

The Kremlin, Novgorod

The current fortress was completed in 1490.

 

 

 

 

The Millenium Monument was unveiled in 1862 celebrating Novgorod's 1000 years of history

 

St Sophia's Cathedral

(1045-62)

 

This bronze door was seized in 1187 from Sigtuna, Sweden

 

 

Archbishops' Court

St Sophia's Belfry

 

 

 

 

Novgorod

Our hotel in Novgorod

 

Pectopah

Pectopah is Russian for restaurant.

The Cathedral of Apostles Peter and Paul

We did not enter  the church as there was a wake.

 

The design of this church is similar to Cathedral of St Basil and The Church of Spilled Blood

Peterhof, the Grand Cascade

The cascade is a sequence of 37 gilded bronze sculptures, 64 fountains and 142 jets descending from the terraces of the Great Palace to the Marine Canal and the sea. Unfortunately, the fountains were switched off when we were there in winter.