Angkor Wat
It is true
that the term Angkor Wat is synonymous to any references made to Cambodia.
However, Angkor Wat is just one temple amongst several that make the Cambodian experience
truly magical. My saying that does not in any way indicate a visit to this
large 12th Century temple isn’t anything less than an unparalled
experience, but just that this is the first step entering into a world like
nothing else.
A temple sunrise
and sunset from the left lotus pond is an absolute must. The sun rises behind
the main temple so obviously sunset is across reflecting on the temple but the colors’
during those these times of the day are quite unbelievable.
Angkor Thom
Or, a royal
city of Angkor that was lost and forgotten for over 500 years in the Cambodian
jungle. Henri Mouhot in his book Travels in Siam, Cambodia and Laos
(1858-1860), writes "At Ongcor, there are ...ruins of such grandeur...
that, at the first view, one is filled with profound admiration, and cannot but
ask what has become of this powerful race, so civilized, so enlightened, the
authors of these gigantic works?"
The city
wasn’t really lost as the local Khmers knew about it and frequented it, the
modern world discovered it much later, and today it is still untouched and must
still left to be uncovered.
Typically
one enters the city from the south gate crossing the small moat looking up at
the gigantic heads carved above the gateway. And we did what is typical and
walked though this gateway into the city of Angkor Thom.
Once
inside first stop was the Bayon temple and I for sure was absolutely speechless.
The temple consists of massive stone carved faces and yet done in such a way
that they look very very symmetrical. A lot of climbing is up and across and through
is needed to study the detail of this temple
While most
people have a Tuk Tuk waiting outside to take them temple hopping, we decided
to do some walking and were fortunate to come across the Royal Palace, Baphuon
and Phimeanakas all nestled behind the more popular temples. The architecture
of each is special in its own way and surprisingly each different from the
other.
The Terrace
of Elephants and Terrace of the Leper king are quite popular and agreeably so
for the massive carvings along the base wall as well as the work on the main
platform.
Apart from
these, there are several smaller temples each unique and very quiet and
unexplored. For those in search of inner peace, a spot in one of these temples
for quiet reflection is a sure way to go!
Temples of the Forest
Think Lara
Croft, Tomb Raider and that’s exactly where you’re transformed to…. While that’s
how this area may have gotten popular for some, visiting these temples will for
sure remain ingrained in my memory for a long long time and not just because I
got to pretend I was Lara Croft for a morning.
The forest itself isn't very dence but there's no doubt about how old it must be.
Ta Prohm
and the lesser popular Ta Nei and Ta Keo temples are all within this forest and amongst the ancient ruins are the huge roots of huge old trees growing over
and above them. They need to be seen to believe they really exist.
Of course, the 2 1/2 days I spent was enough to cover only this set of temples; there are tons more,some smaller and some less significant but each one unique in their own way. Angkor is a world of its own and to survey the lost city in all its magnificence, I climbed up Phnom Bakheng on the last evening. It was a 15 minute climb on a dirt track to the top of this hill where at the top stood not just an ancient temple but a temple from where you could see the sunset across the entire area.......
...... Angkor Wat on one side, the Tonlé Sap on the other and everything else ancient about Angkor and modern about Siem Reap that exists inbetween.
