PEAK Trip to Angkor Wat, Cambodia (5)
~~ Enter the Sanctuary

The Angkor Wat Area is managed by a private business organzation, which get the authority and pay the royalty to Cambodia Goverment. They charge visitors USD 20 for one day entrance fee, USD 40 for three days, and USD 60 for seven days. (For Khmer people entry is free) The excavations were managed by Authorities and huge budgets were spent to maintain this area. However, the Authorities has failed to prevent the stealing from and destruction of this sanctuary. Currently it is outsourced to business organization and in return they get paid a royalty from gate collections. No matter where you are, there seem to be room for Goverment efficiency to improve.

The whole area is surounded by a moat, which is two miles long and a mile wide. It took years to clear the dirt and the jungle that it once was. Now it is a stunning place for Khmer people to have picnic or take a walk in the evening.

Eash temple has its own fosse. A bridge is laid at the entrance to the temple. The bridge are decorated by seven dragons, which is symbolic as guardians. And the rears of the bridge are decorated by sculptures. However, many of these decors have been stolen or destoryed in the civil war during 1992-1997. United Nations has funded the recovery of the excavations, and also the search to recover the stolen decors.

~~ posted by PEAK Traveler, 6th Sept, 06, Angkor Wat, Cambodia