Angkor Wat @ Cambodia – Day 2

Day 2 - Visit to Angkor – World Heritage Site 

Simple breakfast @ the hotel… before we set off to Angkor Park

   

There are about 60 temple ruins in Siem Reap and sad to say, only about 40 of them are still in good condition.

At the entrance of Angkor Park, 1 day pass cost US$20, 3 days pass cost US$40. A digital entrance pass were issued to us on the spot with our photo printed on it. Entrance fee is not applicable to local citizens.

 

One of the “must see” ruins is the giant faces of Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom. The Bayon forms a three-tiered pyramid with 54 towers, each dominated by over 200 huge, 4 meter high mysterious faces facing out to the north, south, east and west directions. Each mystically serene countenance, with closed eyelids and faint smile, represents a Bodhisattaya (fully enlightened being) who delays entry into Nirvana to aid the spiritual development of others.

 Giant faces

 Wooden structure supporting the falling ruins

The struture is rich in decoration, detailing scenes from battles, religious rituals, and everyday life.

Passageways joining the maze of galleries

Next, we moved on to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Another “must see” temple is the temple and monastery of Ta Promh. Unlike most of the other monuments, Ta Promh has been left the way it was originally found. The ancient structure is gripped by massive strangler fig and banyan tree roots (“spongs”) that are at least 100 years old (some are > 400 years old).  Ta Promh is also being called the “Tomb Raider” temple since the shooting of Tomb Raider II at the temple years back.

At the entrance to Ta Promh

 These are victims of the landmines

Fallen passageway

Giant Banyan tree roots strangling the ruins. According to our tour guide, removing the roots would cause the temple to collapse.

Can you see the holes on the wall… it was once filled with gems and diamonds!!!

Banteay Srei- one of my favourite temple. Approximately 25 kilometers from the main temple, is a relatively small 10th century monument in pink sandstone dedicated to Shiva. Its perfectly proportioned decorated and detailed with exquisite sculptures, lintels and friezes, makes it one of the oldest and most aesthetically beautiful temple. Almost every surface is a masterpiece by itself.

 1000 yrs old

Little gal with her pet – owl

Can you see the tiny doorways? They are built in such a way when you walk pass, you have to bend down (i.e. like bowing) to the king.

Time for Lunch! @ Joan Yen Lau

 

 

Pictures taken on the way back to the temple

 

 mama store

 Petrol for bikes. Apparently these petrol are much cheaper than those from the station

Angkor Wat – the mother of all temples, was built to honor the Hindu god Vishnu, is the world’s largest religious building which took some 50,000 artisans, workers and slaves and nearly 40 years to complete.

Bullets holes

Other than learning the history of the temples, the next most exciting moment was to climb this 70 degree flight of stairs to the top of the temple

View from the top

Virtually every surface in the maze of chambers and courtyards is richly decorated with low-relief scenes of legends, war and everyday life, enhanced by cravings nearly 2,000 apsaras, or celestial dances.

Outside the temple, street hawkers selling pineapple (2 for US$1) and lotus seeds. Must try their pineapple.. its very very sweet!

End our day with watching sunset at Pre Rub

Had our dinner @ Sampheat – Cambodian food

Mutton curry, not as spicy as S’pore’s curry

Steam fish in coconut. Taste abit like S’pore otah but not spicy at all