Wondrous Angkor

As the director and narrator of an iconic film, ​‘Jungle Bound’: Angkor, Cambodia in 1936, Deane Dickason found enough time to pen this insightful guidebook of Angkor. The well-documented description opens on a ​“Fair Warning”: ​“Heavy fines are imposed for defacing an Angkor monument or for removing any portion thereof”, with an elaboration by then curator of Angkor Henri Marchal. This warning shows the extent of random looting of Khmer artefacts by tourists.

Following a detailed historical and cultural introduction, and notices on major temples, two circuits are suggested, slightly different from the traditional ​“Grand circuit” and ​“Petit circuit” traditionally promoted by French curators of Angkor, both starting from the ​‘Veal’, the esplanade at the foot of Angkor Thom Royal Palace terraces: 1) The Grand Circuit (p 118 sq), including North Gate, Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon, Pre Rup, back to Angkor Wat (total 16.25 miles), and 2) The Minor Circuit (p 131 sq), including Victory Gate, Ta Keo, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, back to Angkor Wat ​“and ending at Bungalow des Ruines.” (total 11.25 miles).