Walking into the temples, we were greeted by cool, dark, cavernous passages lined by large stone slabs. Intricate carvings of historical scenes, ornate patterns and deities danced across the temple walls. Despite the heavy building materials, the temple felt light and airy, owing to numerous windows and doorways cut into the solid structure. Visiting the temples, I was astounded by the size and intricacy of the temples, and as the day drew on, I became increasingly impressed by the vast expanse of the Angkor complex. Have you visited a religious site? If so, what was the site like? How did its construction influence the way you felt inside or near it?
Although cats dominate Malaysia’s pet industry (and streets), dog lovers will be happy to hear that dogs are much more common than cats in Cambodia. The prevalence of dogs may be in part due to the difference of the official religions practiced in these two countries. In Malaysia, Islam, the official religion, decrees touching a dog haram (forbidden), Theravada Buddhism, the official religion of Cambodia, has no such stipulation.
