One of our first stops in Siem Reap was the Landmine Museum. We left much more educated than we went, and much more aware of the current affect landmines are having on the Cambodian people. They mostly kill and maim farmers and children. This museum and effort all started because one man cared enough to try and defuse the fields of landmines and make his country a safer place. Not only that - but to take in children in need. Learn more here.

Bombs at the Landmine Museum.

Bombs at the Landmine Museum.

Landmines and a lizard.

A display of landmines, bombs, guns and soldiers' uniforms.

After the Landmine Museum, we jumped in our tuk tuk with the wonderful Mr. Keo and went to the Butterfly Center. There, we met up with this man, who showed us through the center, and let us hold the largest stickbug I have EVER seen. He was pretty cool!

Eric handled the monster as well.

Our guide said that not many butterflies were out because it had rained and they were hiding, but we were impressed nonetheless!

Showing off larvae.

Eric making friends.

Yes, he does sting. But I guess he's used to being handled. Our guide was awesome!

John and the scorpion.

I'm not sure when something stops being an insect and starts being a bird!

Without a doubt the largest butterfly I've ever seen! Probably about six inches across.

Taking a drink!

The Butterfly Center was naturally also the host of some beautiful flora.

We had a wonderful Tuk Tuk driver. If you ever go to Siem Reap, stay at the Tranquility Angkor Villa and ask for Mr. Keo as your driver. They couldn't be more hospitable.

We spent sunrise at Angkor Wat, watching the day break over the world's largest religious monument, a huge Hindu temple. It's also a symbol of Cambodia, and Khmer architecture at it's finest. You can get more information on the details of Angkor Wat on wikipedia.

I can only assume these are lotus flowers in the lake before Angkor Wat.

The inside of Angkor Wat was home to a very impressive amount of carvings. This is only a small close up of a gigantic wall of art. Taking photos of these made me feel like an archeologist, as if I'd dusted it off myself.

Some of the intricate details of the building.

More carvings.

Details of the temple. Vishnu is everywhere.

Temple towers.

One of many many carvings of her. The sheer amount, and the uniformity of them, was remarkable.

So much detail.

The sun breaking over part of the very top.

Steep stairs were everywhere.

After Angkor Wat, we moved on to Ta Prohm. There are always people ready to sell you anything.

This is how it works...

He caved.

Ta Prohm, the same temple that was in Tomb Raider.

An HDR of a side of Ta Prohm. Evidently when it was built in the late 12th and early 13th century, it was a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university. Learn more at wikipedia.

More carvings!

Eric exploring.

John documenting the place.

In a sea of tourists!

A dog?

Nature 'run amok' is I believe how Lonely Planet describes this temple, and it is hardly strong enough words. The trees grow anywhere and everywhere, their roots just going where they want.