This is my tour guide for the day, Art. His a certified guide of the Angkor ruins. If you went on your own to Angkor (as in, not with a tour), you can stop at the front gates to hire one of the many guides waiting for work. They have to complete some extensive study programs and testing before they are certified. Art is certified and also works for the cycling company, so he has scheduled work. He is probably a better guide and certainly better paid than the guides waiting at the gates.
We are standing in front of Bayon Temple - the main worship temple in Angkor Thom. It is famous for having faces carved into the top of every one of those pillars in the background. Originally there was a moat here as well, but it has mostly dried up.
Like Angkor Wat, there were carvings on almost every inch of stone. Art told us some of the stories and myths that were shown, but I can't remember most of them.
Most of this one was ruined for me - this is where my phone was actually stolen. So I forgot most of the facts we heard. Our visit was cut short because my group stopped sight-seeing and tried to help me look for my phone. Then we were occupied with finding a security guard and looking for the thief. Considering all that, I was pleased to see I had a couple of good photos of the "faces" on my camera! None of the funny ones though, like me standing nose-to-nose with one of the faces.
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