Angkor Thom actually consists of quite a few temples including: Bayon (outer Angkor Thom) Bapun Elephant Terrace Leper King Terrace Phimeanakas & he Royal Palace All very close to each other and I found each of them very different and ALL worth visiting

Visit either early in morning or late afternoon (0800 - 1100 or 1400 to 1800) to get the best photographs

Wear perfume or aftershave as VERY humid and you perspire even sitting still!

Learn a little about he history of the city and the bas-reliefs (carved pictures) as there are many stories told in each of the temples through various carvings. Angkor Wat Temple in the third gallery enclosure (almost ground level) the carvings are immense and tells of many stories (refer pictures).

A MUST IS TO PURCHASE "ANCIENT ANGKOR" BY MICHAEL FREEMAN & CLAUDE JACQUES - the book is sold everywhere and can be purchased for about US$6

Glossery:

Apsaras - celestial dancers who entertain the gods (women carved figurines) NOTE - AW HAS ONE APSARA WHO IS SMILING AND SHOWING HER TEETH. AS YOU ENTER THE MAIN ENTRANCE (GOPURA) ASK A GUIDE TO SHOW YOU WHERE IT IS. Brahma - creator of all things - he has four heads and four arms, holding a scepre, rsary bow and alms bowl. Born from Vishnu's aval at the beginning of each world cycle. His vehicle is the goose.

Chakra - the wheel, emblem of Buddhist law and of the sun. Vishnu - supreme protector of the empire, 8 arms. Most temples dedicaTed to him.