Cambodia

Mark and I have been talking about going to Cambodia, specifically Angkor Wat, for years.  Given that we now have some time and neither of us needs a zimmer frame we decided to bite the bullet.

Angkor Wat at sunset

Angkor Wat was started in 1113 by Suryarvarman II.  'Angkor' in Khmer means 'great' and 'Wat' mans temple.  The temples were initially built as Hindu temples but were later converted to Bhuddist temples under Jayarvarman VII in the thirteenth-century.  This picture was taken at sunset and the whole structure shimmered in the late afternoon sunshine.  

The Churning of the Ocean of the Milk

In the south section of the east gallery there is a magnificent carving of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.  Unfortunately this is not a great photograph.  Vishnu is represented in the middle mounted on a turtle.  On either side are the gods and demons churning in the ocean of milk as they battle for the earth.  Vishnu sides with the gods and they eventually win.

The Approach to the South Gate of Angkor Thom

The approach to the south gate of Angkor Thom is lined with carvings of the heads of fifty-four gods on one side and fifty-four demons on the other.

The Terrace of the Elephants

The Temple of the Elephants was built by Jayarvarman VII to surround the Royal Square which was designed as an open air theatre where ceremonies, parades and public events were staged.  In addition to highly realistic sculpted elephants carved on the walls, there are garudas (part bird, part man) and lion-headed figures.

Ta Prohm - Jungle Temple

Built in 1186 by Jayarvarman VII in honour of his family, particularly his mother, this temple is also known as the Jungle Temple.  12,640 people used to live in the enclosure including (according to our guide) 18 high priests, 2,740 monks, 2,232 attendants, 615 dancers.  Thousands of villagers were needed to maintain and look after Ta Prohm.  The temple also contained vast amounts of treasure, including 500 kg of gold, 500 Kg of silver, 35 diamonds, 40,620 pearls and 4,540 precious stones.  Goes without saying that none of this remains!  Over the centuries the surrounding jungle has slowly invaded the temple and gradually merged with it.  The root systems of the trees, notably the Spung tree (aka the Cotton and Silk tree) weave in and out of the sandstone structures almost to the point of strangulation. This temple was used in the film Tomb Raider presenting the crew and cast significant challenges as there is not a whole lot of room for manoeuvre and the structures themselves are in a poor state of repair.

Baphuon Temple

Baphuon Temple was completed in 1060 by Udayadityavarman II.  Unfortunately this temple is in a massive state of disrepair.  Reconstruction work was interrupted by the Civil War.  Many of the pieces were numbered by the French architects and they now have the task of piecing the temple back together.

Pre Rup

An early start this morning to see dawn at Pre Rup.  Unfortunately it was rather cloudy so it was not as spectacular as it might have been but on the plus side, very few people go to this temple at dawn so it was very quiet and atmospheric.  Consecrated in around 961/962 Pre Rup marks the transition from the pre-classic to classic period.

Bantay Srey (Srei)

Bantay Srey means 'Citadel of the Women'.  It is thought that the carvings  must have been down my women as they are extremely elaborate and too fine to have been done by men.  It was started in 967 by a Brahmin, possible a tutor to Jayavarman V.  The stonework here is more pink in colour compared to the yellow of Angkor Wat.