The Angkor temples built between 9th to 14th Century were one of the major tourist attraction in Asia. From the 1970s politics and war, in particular the Killing Field era of the Khmer rouge kept the tourists away as it was just not safe.

But today the situation has changed, political stability and the surrender of Khmer troops means that once again it is safe to explore what should classified as the sixth wonder of the world - The Angkor Temple Complex.

The Romance of a Bygone era - Still living today

"So at last we come to Siem Reap; a town which even in the dry season is a pleasant oasis, thanks to a primitive but effective irrigation system, probably exactly the same as that which enriched all the riverside town in the days of Khmer Kingdoms glory. From the river bank, which the road follows, you can see a dozen or more creaking old bamboo waterwheels, all slowly turning in the gentle current of the stream, lifting and endless succession of split bamboo sections, fixed horizontally all around the double wheel, each in turn pouring its contribution into a bigger bamboo or hollow log, which acts as a channel to lead the water to a thirsty land. By this means all sorts of crops are grown, and the place is famed for it vegetables. The fortunate residents enjoy not only the tropical varieties but also those of temperate climate, introduced by the French. I have never seen finer tomatoes than those grown by a French acquaintance in this town."

An extract from Cambodian Glory by H.W.Ponder published in London 1936 Reproduced with grateful cooperation of Raffles International Hotels.