Drawing to an end.

Saturday, March 07, 2015
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Our last day in Siem Reap. Set off and spent the day looking at more ruins of temples. Angkor Wat, which apparently is the largest single temple in the world. The Taj Mahal (sp? ) is second. It was built around the 11th century and like the rest of the ruins we have seen was left to decay, and has been repaired since the early 20th century. However much of the repair work has been either misguided or criminally incompetent. The Indian continue gent stated that the roof needed cleaning and proceeded to scrub it down with acid. However we all know the effect of acid on limestone and now the roof leaks,the acid was washed by the rain,all down the walls and onto the carvings, some of which are showing serious damage. There is a view that this was deliberate, so as to ruin the place, and thus the Taj Mahal would be no 1. Apparently the french archaeologist who was responsible for a lot of the initial clearing of the site, managed to donate a lot of the lintels and decorated stonework to the french museums, altho he denied removing it from Cambodia. So if the Greeks want the marbles back, ...
Also saw other temples,including one which was amazingly detailed in its decorated carvings on the walls,pediments, etc .
The guide treated us to a full commentary on the activities of the Khymer Rouge, which happened when he was a child. And we think we have problems. Any way, tomorrow we goto phnom penh and no doubt will get a further analysis.


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