I can still picture the scene, as author Lin Carter's words were that crisp and evocative. In "Jandar of Callisto," Carter's hero stumbles through the southeast Asian jungle at night onto the ruins of Angkor Wat. More than two decades later, I stood in the same jungle, peering out over the ruins, which awoke the same feeling of wonder.

My latest trip, to Thailand and Cambodia, gave me a chance to visit one of the world's most magnificent Ancient ruins. Built between 800-1400 AD. by the Khmer people of Cambodia, Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world. Temples spread out for miles through the jungle and clearings. My two days of dogged sightseeing still left large tracts unexplored.

On every temple, figures of dancers, soldiers, heroes, demons and gods are carved into the walls. Statues guard entranceways and staircases. The oddly shaped, soaring towers, like grooved pointed domes, stretch to the hot, white sky. As you trek through temple after temple all intricate and detailed -- your sense wonder grows.

I brushed my fingertips along a series of carvings running the entire perimeter of two of the largest temples, The carvings told stories of wars, some from Khmer history, others from the rich Hindu mythos. My guide pointed out the Khmer soldiers, in orderly ranks, their elongated earlobes symbolizing long life. The enemy Chain (Vietnamese) wore distinctive headdresses and were shown as valiant foes. In some panels, they pursued the beaten Khmers. The neighboring Thai -- sometimes friend, sometimes foe -- appeared in disorderly ranks with their trident-like spears. Generals rode elephants, sometimes dueling their opposite commanders from atop their mounts,

The story of this region inspired me. Khmer, Cham, Thai, Lao and Burmese all campaigned back and forth in this humid land of jungle and mountain. All had their moment of glory. Angkor Wat inspired me in many ways: As a gamer, by the panorama of battling armies on centuriesold stone walls; As a history lover, by the amazing achievement of building and decorating these gorgeous temples that spread for miles; As a human, admiring beauty in the tall towers, delicate carvings and sublime majesty of the ruins' sleep amidst the encroaching jungle.

Standing in the footsteps of Carter's hero, looking up in wonder, I knew this vision of Angkor Wat would live on in my memory, much as the author's words did to this day.