Cambodia

(Although we could have taken a hot air balloon ride and snapped the above photo, we did not).

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Cambodia - located between Thailand and Vietnam, it's a hot steamy country still rebuilding after decades of civil war.   It reminded me of rural Brazil, with its dusty dirt roads, motorcycles, abundant fruit and simple homes pieced together with scrap wood.

Every night we would ask the girls what their favorite part of the day was and it was always . . .  Tuk-Tuks!

I'm not sure if there is anything that Ryan likes better than taking videos while in motion.  Be warned before you watch his "Tuk Tuk Montage", if you have a tendency for seasickness. 

Ruins: Angkor Wat. Built nearly a thousand years ago in the 1100's, this massive Hindu temple is Cambodia's pride and joy (featured on it's flag).  It wins the prize as the largest religious building on earth, and today it's actively used by Buddhist monks and visited by millions annually.

We caught the sunset, along with hundreds of other tourists. I hope you recognize the skill in getting pictures without all the scaffolding - yes we found scaffolding at yet another historic site. 

Our tour guide walked us right up to this muddy puddle and I thought that he had lost his mind until he pointed out the reflection. 

Here we are outside the 190 meter wide moat. 

Here we are learning all about the legend of the "churning of the sea of milk" from our friendly tour guide. 

Here's a bas relief of monkeys playing instruments and having a party.

Ruins: Ta Prohm. Another nearly thousand year old temple complex, this one was fascinating because of the many large fig trees growing over the walls and piled up stones. 

This was my favorite temple site because there weren't very many tourists there yet, the trees made great shade and the kids weren't tired yet.

There is something thrilling to know that  you are treading where Harrison Ford has gone before.

Following our intrepid guide through the rubble.

It's so tough to get everyone to look happy at the same time.

Ruins: Angkor Thom. Only 800-some years old, this "Great City" was the last capital of the ancient Khmer empire, not abandoned until about 1600.  The many large faces (200+) on the towers makes this temple complex unique. Below is the gate you go through to get on the grounds.  Buses, cars and even elephants go through there. 

Here are the girls with stone elephant trunks.

This was the greatest tree that we saw on the site.

Luckily we had our kids along so we could travel no faster than a two-year old which saved me from looking  like the one slowing everyone down.

One of the many, many faces. I felt like I was being watched the whole time we were there.

How many faces can you see?