Angkor Thom is a huge area, with other temples such as Bapuon (an enormous temple mountain undergoing significant restoration, with numbered stones laid out on the ground in preparation for placement), a pyramid-shaped temple called Phimeanakas – the royal palace of Suryavarman I in the late 10th century, two large lakes/swimming pools, the Leper King Terrace (so named because lichen on the a particularly odd statue of the God of the Underworld corroded the surface over time), and the Elephant Terrace. The Leper King Terrace was where royal receptions were held. There are mythological scenes carved into the walls, with one panel along a narrow trench showing deities carrying swords on top and nagas and other marine creatures on the bottom.
As we walked around, young children (around 8 to 11 years old) followed us urging us to buy flutes, bracelets, and scarfs in a sing-song, high-pitched voice. Very persistent. Since similar groups of children sold the same basic merchandise all over the Angkor temples, we figured there was some sort of master supplier behind the scenes. We bought a few things with a minimum of haggling.
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