Tag: angkor

Angkor Complex part 3

by Tracy, posted in Cambodia

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Another delinquent Angkor post……

We visited the Baphuon (Khmer: ប្រាសាទបាពួន) temple June 4th.  It was our first stop of the day.

I loved this temple.
When reading about it I learned that the temple I got to see has had
significant restoration.  There are some
signs posted explaining some of the restorations that have been done.

This temple was constructed in the mid 11th
century (circa 1050s) Originally dedicated to the god Shiva, it was converted
in the mid 15th century to be a Buddhist temple.  That is when the reclining buddha was built.  Confession, when I first noticed the
roundness of that wall I thought it was because it was falling apart.  Granted, I was walking around the corner and
couldn’t see the front of the wall yet.
I still felt a bit silly when I took in the full figure from the front.

At the top of the temple there was a small area set up for
offerings, so I left my riel, lit an incense stick and said a small prayer.  It was very peaceful and, again, humbling.

I did some exploring on my own as Stephanie did not want to
scale the steps to the upper levels.
When I came back down I ventured off the beaten path, through a crumbled
doorway and took the selfie posted.  I
mean, I bought a selfie stick, I had to use it a couple of times!

On my way back to the tuk-tuk I saw a monkey,
and then another, and then I realized they were all around me.  They did not care about me one bit which made
it all the better.  No begging, no fear,
just completely uncaring about the human cutting through their late morning
shade.

Angkor Complex part 2

by Tracy, posted in Cambodia

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Pre Rup (Khmer: ប្រាសាទប្រែរូប)
– a Hindu temple built as the state temple of Khmer king Rajendravarman.  It was dedicated in 961 or early 962, so it
stood for over 1000 years before I was born.

This temple was the last one we visited. The views
captivated me, as did the entire structure.
When I read up on it I understood why.
It is truly ancient.

I walked around the base slowly before leaving, lingering
and savouring what I knew was my last Angkor temple.  Nature even gave me several hundred mementos
to take away with me.  In my wanderings,
I passed through some kind of weed that stuck so many seeds into my pants that
it took me four sittings and one washing to get them all (most) out.  I think I will still be picking some out when
I put them on in Canada.

Note:  when Khmer
people pronounce the word, they say Kmai – like Thai.  So now I say it that way too

Angkor Complex part 1

by Tracy, posted in Cambodia

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Taken June 2 2017 at Ta Prohm – the Tomb Raider temple, Siem
Reap

It was getting very hot at this point and this was our last
temple of the day.  I was in awe of the
entire place.  Nature had reclaimed so
much but the structure still dominates.
The mushrooms were growing along a crumbling wall.  Ruins are scattered around but you can still
walk in and around much of it.

Construction on Ta Prohm began in 1186 AD, and I was walking
in, around and on it 831 years later!
Humbling and truly awe inspiring.

Originally known as
Rajavihara (Monastery of the King), Ta Prohm was a Buddhist temple dedicated to
the mother of King Jayavarman VII.