Stepping into History
Temperature: 35-37°C
Feels like the 40s. No humidity. No wind.
As I stood in the heart of Angkor, one of Southeast Asia’s most significant archaeological sites, memories of my childhood curiosity came rushing back.
At 12 or 13 years old, sitting in my Queenstown classroom, I was captivated by the Mayans of Central America—their extraordinary mathematical, astronomical, and architectural achievements. That feeling of wonder and awe never left me.
I poured my fascination into a school project on archaeology—dreaming of lost cities, ancient civilisations, and untold stories buried beneath time.
Parasols. Nurses and Archaelogist emergent abroad.
The Dream That Almost Wasn’t
At 15, I still held onto that dream. But when I met with a Vocational Guidance Officer, I was told:
"Archaeologist? No future. No jobs. Become a teacher, nurse, or clerical worker."
And so, my path diverged. But the spirit of discovery never truly left me.
UNESCO site Angkor Cambodia. Archaeologist emergent.
Fast Forward: 52 Years Later
Now, alongside my friends Joanne Keenedy, Toni Bentley, and Cushla O'Conor, I take my first steps onto Angkor—a sprawling 400 square kilometer site, rich in history and mythology.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, Angkor is defined as:
"A natural or cultural site that demonstrates influence or significance in a global context."
It was once the heart of the Khmer Empire (9th–15th century), a place of gods, kings, queens, and everyday people—a city that rose and fell but never faded from history.
Time Travel in Stone
As I explored the intricate temples, towering structures, and sacred carvings, I felt it again—that same wonder and awe that sparked my love of archaeology all those years ago.
The stories of this place are etched into every surface—whispers of a civilisation that once ruled these lands.
Beauty in mindful details
The Archaeologist in Me Lives On
The child who dreamed of lost cities still exists within me.
Maybe the dream wasn’t lost. Maybe it was just waiting—waiting for me to stand here, now, in this ancient kingdom.
Some places shift time. Some stories never end.
Enjoy these remarkable photos—shape-shifting time itself.
Tomb Raider in 2000 was filmed here at Ta Prohm Temple
