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Angkor First-Hand – 20 years together with the temples

How I stumbled over Angkor

After my retirement in 2000, I travelled around and came to Angkor.
After a week I had seen everything, I thought and went on to Laos.
However, there I got homesick for Siem Reap, where I have lived happily ever since.

Like the ox in front of the new barn gate

In May 2001, I was supposed to teach German-speaking tour guides. I started with a text from a travel guidebook – and failed: The text did not help us and I could not explain the temples!

The secrets of the temples

I had a lot to learn, to acquire background knowledge from books and, above all, to study the temples directly.
Temples are places where people were living. When I realized this, a vivid picture emerged; the secrets were revealed; the temples came to life.

A new picture of ancient Angkor

From the 9th to the 15th centuries, Angkor was the capital city of the Khmer kingdom and empire.
Houses as well as palaces were from wood and have vanished. Only sanctuaries were of brick or stone; the temples are the visible remains of Angkor and tell us their history.
Service for Explorers: I appreciate your experiences, questions and critique, and will answer soon. Consultancy for tour-guides and travel agents.
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