The entrance gate to Ta Phrom, a grand ruin being taken back by the jungle, and made famous by “Tomb Raider,” an action movie filmed here and featuring Angelina Jolie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the enormous and beautiful Angkor Wat, the jewel of the Angkor area and the largest religious structure in the world, even a minor gate in the outer wall is imposing.

 

Within the outer wall (but still outside the main temple) are several well-preserved outlying structures.

 

 

We knew our most gorgeous views of the temple facade would come near sunset, so first we circled the impressive colonnade . . .

 

. . . and looked at dramatic bas reliefs.

 

As the sun lowered we perched on an inner tower in the southwest corner of the temple and watched the light soften.

 

 

We weren’t alone.

 

Finally, we made our way back out to the inner western gate.

 

Moving back from the inner gate, all five of the main towers were visible.

 

But these were the kind of views we’d been waiting for!

 

 

 

 

Below, the last temple of our last day (spent entirely on bicycles) was Ta Som; not as grand as Angkor Wat, but a good way to end our visit.