Henri Mouhot (1826–1861)

Henry Mouhot’s “Travels in Siam, Cambodia and Laos, 1858-1861” describes the Frenchman’s extensive exploration in Indochina, including his “re-discovering”of Angkor Wat. A great read, very broad in subjects covered – although some of his descriptions, of nature, or of individual temples in Angkor Wat, are rather tedious. He aims to record observations for posterity, that’s why. Yet, he is realistic enough to recognize that more specialized scholars may overturn his conclusions with time, which indeed has happened on various occasions. Which does in no way diminish the entertainment value of this travelogue, of a semi-scientific adventurer who covered lots of ground, and, unfortunately, ultimately did not survive his adventures, dying from what was most likely malaria in Luang Prabang in Laos.… (más)