The main temple of Angkor Wat is pretty huge and impressive. But then there’s the moat. From the ground, it’s hard to fathom its massive scale. It was dug entirely by hand, and then populated with crocodiles.
“Constructed in the early 12th century, the temples lay at the heart of the most powerful empire South-East Asia has ever seen. The largest pre-industrial centre in the world, with a population that vastly outstripped that of European capitals, the Angkor complex is the empire’s greatest legacy.
…they later became a hideout for Khmer Rouge soldiers, who used the extraordinary bas-reliefs for target practice. Bullet holes are still visible, etched into the stonework alongside carved figures of Buddhas and voluptuous, sinuous court dancers”
– CNN Traveller, Dec 07, p.42.
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