The grand-daddy, the poster child of the region. Cambodia's crown jewel (it's on their flag!) A Unesco World heritage site, and this defining complex is considered the 8th wonder of the world. So, expectations were a tad high.
It actually doesn't dissapoint. I awoke at 3:30 to be there for sunrise, and the play of light brought an etheral-ness to the place. It's 5 main spires and long causeway can be over-run with people, but the size of the complex soaks it up. Three terraces make up the structure, set in a monsterous garden, with the fashion of the times - a large 1/2 km bridge terrace depicting the walkway to heaven cutting across the surrounding water-way/moat that is measured in square km/miles.
Size mattered to these kings, such that Bayon which was made by the subsequent king was done 10X as large. But the scale here really works to bring you towards an appreciation of what's in front of your eyes. Bayon's size means you can't appreciate it all in one view. You can here.
Angkor Wat is indeed mind-blowing.
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