My Trip to Cambodia - Siem Reap
-
with only 4 days? No. anyway, the attraction is the Angkor Civilization such as Angkor WatOriginally posted by mochou:never go capital phnom penh? -
where are the legendary mass copulation carvings ? ....
-
the steps at the peak of "Mt Meji" is about 75 degrees gradient. we have to use all 4 limbs to climb up. it offers a paranoma views of the surrounding in Angkor Wat. -
suprisingly, these carving are not present in the Angkor civilization unlike those that are seen in India and Nepal. However there a still a little trace of rock carve to represent yoni and shivalingumOriginally posted by Fatum:where are the legendary mass copulation carvings ? .... -
views from the top of "Mt Meji" -
cravings on "Mt Meji" -
maybe those are the first ones hacked away by thieves eh ....Originally posted by SevenEleven:suprisingly, these carving are not present in the Angkor civilization unlike those that are seen in India and Nepal. However there a still a little trace of rock carve to represent yoni and shivalingum
-
another view from the top. notice the jungle on the background? Angkor Wat is sometime call the "pearl of the jungle". Unfortunately because of the rain and the mist, we had to give up the trip to the mountain top to watch the sun setting behind Angkor Wat. -
nah.......they went for the precious stones embeded on the wallsOriginally posted by Fatum:maybe those are the first ones hacked away by thieves eh .... -
time for some refreshment at the roadside stall. -
At the entrance of another temple "Bayon Temple of Ankor Thom". Angkor Thom - City Thom. These temple are the better kept one. This was built in the early 13 century. The road leading into Bayon temple are flank by devas on one side and demon on the other. they are having a tug of war on the naga representing the rope. So which is the deva and which is the demons? look for the happy face and the sad looking one. -
the gateway to Bayon temple stood the figure of Alokistavara (spelling?) or kuan yin. it has four faces looking into the 4 directions representing the Buddhist Brahma Vihara
Metta - Loving Kindness
Karuna - Compassion
Mudita - Sympathetic joy
Upeka - Equanimity -
a closer look at one of the faces. notice the carving on the bottom of the heads -
bas relive on walls depicting soldiers going to battle -
japanese archcelogist with locals doing restoration to the broken down temple funded bu UNESCO -
one of the best shooting location -
locals consulting astrologer. suprisingly, the local people also believe in plamistry, bazi, elements and fengshui art (cambodian version) -
niceee!!!!!!
-
although not a professional photographer, armed with a idiot proof camera at the right place and right time, the outcome can still be pleasing.
caught a lady resting after peddling herself for photography session. the window act like a photoframe -
Banteay Kdei - built in the late 12th ~13th century by King Jayavarman VII. -
Ta-Phrom - This is where the movie "Tomb Raider" was shot. One of the temple discovered in recent times. The jungle had taken over the place with many damaged by vegation. Tall trees 100's metre tall with giantic roots crushing the structure. -
giantic roots resembling an elephant trunk and a large snake crushing in on the roof of the temple -
Bantey Seri - built in the 10 century. the difference between this and the others is the higher relives carving. notice the pictures are like pop-up. -
another temple delicated to the mother of King Jayavarman VII. it faces the east and sits on the west. East representing sunrise or birth and West representing sunset or death. after the wake, the body will be creamated. the ash would be collected and washed with 8 coconut milk, the milk will then be filtered and drank my the king.
didn't go up there as i sprained my ankle and hobbling thru the days -
So much for the temples. a look into the life of the people in Cambodia. This is a wet market were meats, vegetables and fishes are sold. our version of wet market.