ruins that he encountered in his family's collection of exotic treasures. Fast forward thirty-five years, he finds himself in Saïgon, where he reflects on his earlier travels and the haunting memories of his deceased brother. Determined to finally visit Angkor, he sets off on a journey through Vietnam, navigating the lush and dangerous landscape until he arrives at the remnants of the grand temple complex. As he approaches the majestic ruins, he contemplates the passage of time, the beauty of discovery, and the relentless grip of nature on crumbling monuments of a bygone era. The opening sets a contemplative tone filled with rich imagery and sensual descriptions that evoke the sights, sounds, and feelings associated with this extraordinary journey. (This is an automatically generated summary.)