28-JAN-2007
Sunset At Angkor
This picture was taken at Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat (or Angkor Vat) is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built for king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. The largest and best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre—first Hindu, then Buddhist—since its foundation.
22-JAN-2007
Walkway Leading To Angkor Wat
I was pretty excited when we started our journey to Angkor Wat. I have never been to such a place before, what more on a photography expedition. It was more than a tourist experience. The feeling was wholesome, complete in that sense that I came home fulfilled.
22-JAN-2007
Monk Riding On A Bike
On my way up to the Wat, I noticed this monk riding on the bike.
22-JAN-2007
Angkor & Ruins
The temples of Angkor, built by the Khmer civilization between 802 and 1220 AD, represent one of humankind's most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements. From Angkor the Khmer kings ruled over a vast domain that reached from Vietnam to China to the Bay of Bengal. The structures one sees at Angkor today, more than 100 stone temples in all, are the surviving remains of a grand religious, social and administrative metropolis whose other buildings - palaces, public buildings, and houses - were built of wood and are long since decayed and gone.
23-JAN-2007
Stone Windows
Stone windows are commonly seen around Angkor Wat. I saw the light shining into the temple with shadows of the frames on the ground. I decided to take a shot of it.
23-JAN-2007
Angkor Wat's Apsaras
The Apsarases, known as the heavenly maiden of Angkor Wat.
An Apsaras, is a female spirit of the clouds and waters in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Despite ending in -s, "apsaras" is to be construed as singular. The English plural is "apsarases". There are around 2000 Apsarases in Angkor Wat and each of them are unique.
23-JAN-2007
Dancing Apsaras
A few of the carved Apsaras on the wall of Angkor Wat.
23-JAN-2007
Apsaras Dancers
Carved on the face of the walls of Angkor, the dancers still live till this age on the walls of the temples.
23-JAN-2007
The Inscriptions
The inscriptions that the visitor can see in the temples are those carved on the door jambs of the entrances to the sanctuaries. Inscriptions were also carved on steles, but the majority of these are now housed in the Conservancy at Angkor to prevent them from being stolen. More than 1,200 inscriptions have been discovered, but it is likely that more has disappeared, or have not yet been found. The script evolved over the centuries up to the Angkorian period.
23-JAN-2007
Steep Steps To The Temple
To reach the topmost terrace of the Angkor Wat temple, you have to be physically fit.
Take up the challenge to climb up these steps. They are narrow, crumbly and extremely steep.
23-JAN-2007
Railing Installed
The climb up narrow steps to the base of the central tower is frightening to all but those with inordinately fine balance or remarkably small feet. There are four stairways up; at just one, the south stairway, has a railing has been installed to assist descent by the nervous. Many opt for this route. As for me, I never attempted a step up as I knew I would never get to the top. The most I did was to climb up 5 steps to take a picture of the steep steps. Willing to take up the challenge?
23-JAN-2007
Magnificent Craftsmanship
This obviously reflect the magnificent craftmanship of the ancient times.
25-JAN-2007
Damage On The Figure
Money is about everything in life. And such precious gem of history has become prodominant issue of stolen pieces from the temples. You will see some of the figurines with their head hacked off.
23-JAN-2007
The Narrow Corridors
There are many corridors in the Wat. Somehow if it wasn't a religious place, it would have been a perfect place for model shooting session!
28-JAN-2007
Preparing For Worship
Angkor Wat, the magnificent Buddhist temple complex in Cambodia. It began in the 9th century A.D. and reached its magnificent peak as a worship, urban and administrative complex in the 12th century A.D. under Suryavaram II, at the height of the Khmer Empire’s power.
23-JAN-2007
Worship
A woman seen in action at the altar.
22-JAN-2007
Worship In The Wat
There are many deities/statues in the Wat. People go there to pray.
23-JAN-2007
The Nun & The Worshippers
A nun conducting a worship session in the Wat. The nuns wear the white robe, while the monks in orange.
23-JAN-2007
Prayer Session
Monk in action doing the rituals of worship at the Wat
22-JAN-2007
A Resting Spot
I looked through the stone window and spotted these monks resting outside the temple. They seemed calm and at peace. Is that the ultimum achievement of a monk living a life at the Wat?
22-JAN-2007
Surroundings Of The Wat
This shot was taken outside the Wat. As you can see, I am not alone, there are many tourists visiting the place as well.
22-JAN-2007
The Five Towers Of Angkor
This was shot at the Water Lily Lake. We were waiting for the sun to set to get the magnificent reflection at the lake but ......no luck.
23-JAN-2007
A Peaceful Stroll
I truly enjoyed my visit at the Wat. I felt that feeling of serenity in the place. Should I say, if I was not born in the city or fear of bats, I would have considered living there for that sense of peace. It's worth the while to visit the place. At least I have no regrets trekking this land.
22-JAN-2007
Walking Home
A perfect timing capturing the monks walking away from the Wat.
22-JAN-2007
The Three Towers
From this perspective, you are able to see the three towers of the Wat. Check out the tourists visiting this place. In abundance.
23-JAN-2007
Four Faces
There are four faces at the north gate of Angkor Thom. I only manage to shoot two of the faces at this angle.
23-JAN-2007
Angkor Thom Gate Face
Angkor Thom is a gateway to many temples, and a main attraction of a visit to the Angkor temples. This was taken at the north gate of Angkor Thom.
23-JAN-2007
Carved Figurines On The Gate
I am not sure of the history behind the carvings. I suppose I could find out and write about it but it would be almost plagiarizing the entire history book! This is found at the north gate of Angkor Thom. There are several entrances to this place, mostly use the southern gate.
23-JAN-2007
Reconstruction Of The Gate
At the entrance of the north gate to Angkor Thom, you see some stilts erected for the reconstruction of the gate. It would have been a good shot but this is the best I can take or appreciate of the gate's architecture. Every carving and figurine on this gate has a meaning and a magnificent story to it.
25-JAN-2007
Dusk To Dusk
Angkor is a beautiful place to take sunset and sunrise shots. We practically chased the sun from morning till the evening. As most of you will know that it isn't easy capturing good picture unless you have a beautiful skyline. At that point of time, it didn't rain but it was very cloudy. The best sunset spots were already taken when we reached there, so we had to move around to find other suitable spots. This shot was taken at Phnom Bakheng. It's a state temple of the first city at Angkor. "Phnom" means "hill" in the Khmer language. Phnom Bakheng is a 65-metre hill a few hundred metres south of the gate to Angkor Thom. It is the only natural hill in the area. Climbing the hill after a day walking around the monuments can be a challenge, but the view from the top just before sunset is a rewarding sight. You see the sun go down over the western Baray while the five towers of Angkor Wat slowly disappear in the jungle to the east.
25-JAN-2007
A Cherry On A Cake (Almost)
I actually got a shot of the sun sitting on the tip of this tower, however the colour wasn't good. This is the closest that I think is decent enough to share.
For another sunset shot of this location,
click here
25-JAN-2007
The Framed Shot
It gets frustrating when there are too many tourists visiting the same spot and the same time for the same event ie witnessing the sunset. I tried to find a suitable spot without blocking other shooters (mind me there are some who are just plain rude who would stand right in front of you blocking your view! And couldn't give a damn about it either). I walked a step down of the temple and found a nice spot. Unfortunately as the sun started to drop, the crowd moved closer to get the shot. There was a particular tourist who stood in front of my view and I was very upset. He wouldn't budge or even move. So being typical me, I decided not to get mad over it and instead tried to take the shot in a different perspective. I am sure by now you would have figure out what sort of frame is that ie. his legs!
24-JAN-2007
Beng Mealea
Ruins were seen scattered everywhere and to get to the bottom of the temple, one needed to walk on the ruins and I definitely needed a helping hand! Though unrestored, and in a fairly ruinous state, the large temple of Beng Mealea ('Lotus Pond') some 40km due east of Angkor on the ancient royal way to the `great Preah Khan' of Kompong Svay, is one of the major monuments of the classical period, in the style of Angkor Wat and roughly contemporary with it. Beng Mealea is genuinely uncleared - the real thing for would be explorers. Indeed it was a torturous route and encounter for me. It's almost like being an actress in a action movie. Coming next, the location where Angelina Jolie shot the movie Tombs Raider - Ta Prohm.
24-JAN-2007
Beng Mealea Ruins I
More rocks and ruins to be seen. If they ever thought of restoring this temple, it would take a couple of decades to do so and lots of $$. A big concrete jigsaw puzzle and a genius to restore this baby!
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.
24-JAN-2007
The Walkway
Banteay Srei was built in the year 967 AD, during the reign of King Rajendravarman. Built of pink sandstone instead of the grey stone that dominates at the other temples of Angkor, Banteay Srei is the most intricately carved of all temples at Angkor. Experts believe that the temple was built as a tribute to the art of wood-carving, since many of the motifs are identical to wood motifs found in the architecture and decor of the period. For instance, door frames and some of the roof eaves are carved to imitate the details of traditional wood building motifs.
24-JAN-2007
Carvings On The Wall (I)
Banteay Srei means 'Citadel of the Women', or 'Citadel of Beauty', and presumably refers to its size and the delicacy of its decorations. It's also described as the 'Jewel of Khmer Art'.
24-JAN-2007
Carvings On The Wall (II)
This is a bigger picture of the carvings on the walls of Banteay Srei.
23-JAN-2007
Entering The Sanctuary
As we entered the compound of the Buddhist sanctuary, we were approached by several children selling souvenirs. They followed us and kept on asking us to buy something from them. Typically they would try to get you to buy their goods, when you say you will come back later, they usually oblige and let you go but they will always ask `What's your name?.....Come and buy from me later and I will remember you!' Cute kids. I decided to take a shot of `me' teddy bear with the kids. I suppose they were extremely thrilled not only to see a teddy bear (probably never owned one! I won't be surprise) what more thinking that I gave Teddy to them. After the shot I took Teddy with me.......yes I know what you are thinking.....but I have no choice, it's a special bear. It travelled with me in Angkor.
23-JAN-2007
Rituals
Rituals conducted by a monk at the village for protection. In this respect the motorcycle and the entire family were blessed. The bike for safe journey along the road. We saw this act, requested the guide to stop and asked if it was alright to shoot and he said ok. It's always better to ask the local the customs of the people than to just do what we want. You never know your act of kindness can be a gesture of insult. I was told never touch the head of the locals. I am fond of touching children heads as a sign of affection. To me it means nothing, but to the locals it's a sign of bad luck. Fortunately that doesn't apply to children. So I was spared when I accidentally touched a kid's head after a photo shoot. This shot was taken on our way to Preah Palilay, a small Buddhist sanctuary in the north of Angkor Thom.
23-JAN-2007
Preah Palilay
This chimney-like tower is a small Buddhist sanctuary located in the north of Angkor Thom. Unlike any other tower at Angkor, it may have been faced with other materials. Buddhist images can be found and the coexistence of Buddhist and Hindu imagery is part of the problem of dating this temple.
23-JAN-2007
Nose Kissing Experience
The Bayon is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia. It was built in the 13th century as the state temple of king Jayavarman VII, and stands at the centre of his capital, Angkor Thom. Its most distinctive feature is the multitude of smiling faces on the towers which rise up to its central peak. It also possesses two sets of bas-reliefs, which depict an unusual combination of mythological, historical and mundane events. There are 49 towers located in Bayon originally. And each tower has 4 faces. This angle in particular is interesting in the sense that the nose of these two images touched each other like - kissing.
23-JAN-2007
Attempt To Kiss The Nose
I tried to kiss the nose of this face. Unfortunately I wasn't much of a listener, so the photographer who shot this picture had a difficulty in adjusting the right spot. Just missed a bit and it looked kind of funny me having a nibble of the nose instead.
23-JAN-2007
More Faces
The Bayon was the last state temple to be built at Angkor, and the only one to be built primarily as a Mahayana Buddhist temple (although various local deities were also worshipped there). It was the centrepiece of Jayavarman VII's building program, and the similarity of the faces on the temple's towers to other statues of the king have led many scholars to the conclusion that the faces are, at least in part, representations of Jayavarman VII (although Avalokitesvara is another possibility). Under the reign of Jayavarman VIII in the mid-13th century the temple was converted to Hinduism. In later centuries Theravada Buddhism became dominant, before the temple was eventually abandoned to the jungle.
25-JAN-2007
An Ocean Out There
For most of the year the lake is fairly small, around one meter deep and with an area of 2,700 square km. During the monsoon season, however, the Tonle Sap river which connects the lake with the Mekong river reverses its flow. Water is pushed up from the Mekong into the lake, increasing its area to 16,000 square km and its depth to up to nine meters, flooding nearby fields and forests. The floodplain provides a perfect breeding ground for fish.
25-JAN-2007
Bananas For You, Sir?
The typical standard call for the sale of bananas by these Vietnamese(s) - "One dollar" and they would reach out their plates of bananas to you. They are seen everywhere along the lake looking out for tourists to sell their bananas. Previously they only begged for money.
Note: Vietnamese make up the largest minority group with about five percent of the population and Chinese make up another one percent.
23-JAN-2007
Sunrise At Angkor Wat
This is the final upload. I hope you have enjoyed yourself viewing the shots and reading the simple illustrations of the individual sites at Angkor and Tonle Sap. I have taken trouble to rearrange the photos, so that it's easier for you guys to view as a travel log `blog'. Thank you for spending time visiting and your precious comments and votes. This gallery is specially dedicated to the people of Cambodia and to those who have taken effort to restore this precious ancient treasure.
(Galleries under construction)