24-JAN-2007
The Naga
The fantastic creatures of Angkor. Known from Hindu and Buddhist mythology, the naga is a snake of gigantic proportions. A staple of Southeast Asian architecture, in Thailand the naga is depicted as a large crested serpent. However at Angkor, the naga loses its crest in favor of a more ominous multi-headed appearance reminiscent of the Hydra from Greek mythology. This naga was shot at the front of Beng Mealea.
24-JAN-2007
Bang Mealea Ruins II
There weren't many interesting scene at this place to shoot except for the ruins which were rocks and a mess! I looked around and spotted this section of the area and thought it looked decent enough of a picture to shoot. I guess I wasn't alone and shortly, a Japanese couple stood at the spot making it just perfect with them in the scene.
24-JAN-2007
Figurines On The Ruins
You can see the stone window and the figurine standing side by side.
24-JAN-2007
The Ruin
The figurines crafted on the stone of the temple, unreconstructed.
24-JAN-2007
Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm is the undisputed capital of the kingdom of the Trees'. It has been left untouched by archaeologists except for the clearing of a path for visitors and structural strengthening to stave of further deterioration. Fig, banyan and kapok trees spread their gigantic roots over stones, probing walls and terraces apart, as their branches and leaves intertwine to form a roof over the structures. Trunks of trees twist amongst stone pillars. You see nature in this dual role of destroyer and consoler; strangling on the one hand, and healing on the other. The complex included 260 statues of gods, 39 towers with pinnacles and 566 groups of residences.
By the way this is one of the location where the movie Tombs Raider was shot.
24-JAN-2007
The Butt
Mmm...nope I am not a butt shooter (or am I??). Ta Prohm is one of the major temples of Jayavarman VII - in fact, a temple-monastery. Ta Prohm features a set of concentric galleries with corner towers and gopuras, but with many other additional buildings and enclosures. The complexity of its layout is increased by its partly collapsed state, with trees interlaced among the ruins. This particular root resembled a butt as you can see from the curves. I didn't notice it until someone told me this and I just have to have a shot of it, since `rear shots' is also one of my specialty.
24-JAN-2007
Tall & Very Old Trees
Many old trees were seen at the surroundings of the temples we visited. As you can see from the tree trunks and roots, they are extremely old!
24-JAN-2007
Strangler Fig I
Lots of these fig trees were seen at the ruins - exactly what the name represents. They practically `strangled' the buildings to death, suffocating them with their huge roots. The question now lies as to whether to save the trees or the building? The roots of the trees penetrates through the stones causing them to fall apart and ruined!
24-JAN-2007
Crawly Snakes
The first impression I got looking at the thick roots of the tree was - it sure looked like a snake, a very long one indeed.
24-JAN-2007
Strangler Fig II
This picture describes the fig tree perfectly. This part of the building looked as though it's about to vanish from the site. Almost covered by the roots.
24-JAN-2007
Lotus Bud Stones
They are many lotus bud shaped stones leading to the entrance of Banteay Srei.
24-JAN-2007
Towers At The Inner Closure
Banteay Srei (or Banteay Srey) is one of the most unusual temples of Angkor, Cambodia. It lies 20 km due north of the main group, at 13.59 N, 103.96667 E. It is built largely of red sandstone, which is covered with elaborate and deeply carved decoration. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale. It is built largely of red sandstone, with brick and laterite used only for the enclosure walls and some structural elements.
