Last night was fun with seeing the cultural show, we all were exhausted. Some of us are still getting over the tummy bug and others are just beginning the painful cycle. All in all this morning came way to early, as most do. I don't know about you but I usually like routines, however our 7 am routine definitely would have been something I broke if not for the exciting adventures I knew lay ahead!
Breakfast in our little Boutique hotel is lovely, of course it is so small that we have to stagger our eating times. My roomate, Christian, and I chose the 7am slot (the earliest). It was nice we got done right about the time the second and third waves were beginning to show up. I had a bran cereal of sorts with raisans today and yesterday morning for breakfast.
After that we rode on our bus to the Angkor Wat complex. In Siem Reap there are hundreds of temples (or locally known as "wats") Angkor Wat is the biggest temple and surrounding it are several others that are large and well known. We saw 5 temples today. I don't remember all the names, 3 in the morning before lunch and 2 afterwards. The 3 in the morning were very fun. We started with taking lots of group pictures which I hope to get from others in the group eventually. Our guide spoke pretty good english and enjoyed showing us all the great picture spots and funny pictures. The second temple in Angkor Thom (which means big city, there were two temples in this ancient city) was new to me. When I came before to Siem Reap the temple was under thorough restoration, we walked around it and saw the giant reclining buddha, but this time we were actually able to climb up to the top story. This was a more ancient temple than most, with more Hindu orginal architecture, contrast to the buddhist tendencies that dominate many of the others.
Our last stop before lunch was the tree infested temple, famous for its part in Tomb Raider. This temple gives a very good look into what it might have been like to discover these temples all over grown and falling down. Reminds me of Indian Jones ride from Disneyland! The trees literally grow right out of the ruins.
Lunch was fun, I finally had my fresh coconut! Very refreshing, unfortunately Janel didn't like hers, so fortunately I got two coconuts for lunch!
The second part of the day was primarily spent at Angkor Wat, the largest temple. Roughly 65 meters tall at the highest point, it is the tallest building in Siem Reap from ground up. This temple was built they believe somewhere in the 12th-13th centuries A.D. The stone and surrounding environment create a stunning view. On top you look out and see the treeline stretching for miles and realize the size of the Wat, incredible workmanship. Troubling reasons though - filled with misleading legends, perverted rituals, and oppressive leaders. The fall of man into sin was terrible, and man's depravity is evident even at these awesome wonders of the ancient world. Reminding me that even awesome things can be used for evil. Take the internet that allows me to upload these blogs - it is also a doorway and instrument into a very dark and evil place of pornography. Good and evil exist in the same place and the challenge for us is to stay in the light, for there our evil is in full view because of the light of Christ. Jesus gives us the power to identify and overcome, but that is only possible when we walk in the light, confessing our sins, and putting our trust and confidence in the right person - Jesus Christ!
Enough preaching right? Sorry I've been a little cooped up inside myself with the whole Hindu and Buddhist stuff. I love Jesus can you tell?
Seems like a good time for a Psalm:
Psalm 46:1-11 NIV
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. [2] Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, [3] though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. [4] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. [5] God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. [6] Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. [7] The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. [8] Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. [9] He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. [10] He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” [11] The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
To finish out our time at Angkor Wat complex, Janel and I rode an elephant for about 20 minutes. The ride took us to the top of one a small mountain that has a Wat on it. This is the popular spot to watch the sunset. Three of the other team also took an elephant ride up to the top and together we all walked down. There was a storm coming (in fact it rained on us heavily at dinner) so we didn't have a chance to see the sunset. It was nice and cool though, compared to earlier in the day. At the bottom we rode a tuk tuk home since the bus took everyone else home before the elephants. All in all a lovely day.
On the elephant together!
The night is nearing bed time and I will sign off.
Grace, Mercy, and Peace.
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