OK folks, fasten your seatbelts - this post will be a thing of beauty - an easy esthetic win thanks to a photogenic and inspiring subject.
From the outset of this trip, Cheryl and I wanted to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Our top concerns were Dengue and Malaria... both of which we managed through preventative measures and common sense, enabling the family to enjoy this amazing place on planet Earth.
We had the most superb guide take us through Angkor Wat with the kids - he shall remain nameless, at his request. Sound intriguing? It was - he gave us a thorough review of Cambodian ancient history and a heart-wrenching, first person account of more recent history - the Khmer Rouge and their 3-yr, terror-filled reign.
So... where to start?
Angkor wat is a single temple, but its name is often used to describe an entire city complex. The Angkor Archeological Park is the current name of the former metropolis.
It sits on privately owned land and so does not belong to the Cambodian people, which is a source of some friction because the attraction draws millions of tourists every year, earning it a small fortune in entrance fees.
Several temples in the park are listed as a UNESCO world heritage sites. To their credit, the owners have undertaken major restoration efforts to shore-up decaying structures and artworks therein. Several temples date back to the 800's and taken together, they record much of Cambodia's religious and cultural history from the 800's to the 1400's when the more modern buddhist wats of today began to formally separate church and state.
During the French occupation of Cambodia, many relics and artifacts were removed from the temples and brought to Europe... the only things left are carved into the walls and so are immovable.
You are free to clamour around, walk on the causeways, hallways and intact staircases of these structures, making visits fun - even for kids. Other, similar ruins in the world are much less accessible, in the noble name of preservation (and monetary gain).
Though many of the structures in the area have been severely damaged by earthquakes and the passage of time, they remain intact enough to enjoy and appreciate. A walk through these temple ruins provokes a heady appreciation for the vastness of time, the power of religion and the societies of the past.
Some of the temples became completely encased in sand and have subsequently been unearthed by archeologists. New ruins continue to be discovered even today using satellite imagery to highlight relief and probable sites. The city was huge - bigger than modern-day Phnom Penh - the Cambodian capital city of 15 million!
The town of Siem Reap serves as a launch pad for tours of Angkor Archeological Park. The town has everything a tourist needs to make this happen - from tuk tuks and drivers-for-hire to hotels and restaurants.
As tourism grows in Cambodia, so too do the opportunities for tourists to spend extra cash doing 'tourist stuff' - from helium balloon rides to dirt bike tours. I guess, there are only so many temple days a person can endure before a break is due 🤯.
The temples are so very photogenic that photographers flock from all over the world to snap sunrise and sunset shots at specific sites reputed for their stunning visuals. You can get a tuk tuk driver to roll out of bed at 4am to make this happen for you - for USD$25/day!
A Khmer king in the 9th century united warring parties whose beliefs were, respectively, Buddhist (Chinese influence) and Hindu (Indian influence). This was the birth of the Khmer Empire. As a result, many of the structures built reflect this duality of beliefs - a buddhist temple with hindu snakes and figures - like Vishnu.
Causeway entrances to buddhist temples include Hindu snake railings (Nagas) and Vishnu appears across from Buddha. It's really a fascinating mash-up.
Indeed, the Khmer empire recognized both Hinduism and Buddhism as its religions - some kings were Hindus and others Buddhists. Today, Cambodia is +95% buddhist. Angkor wat, itself, is the largest hindu temple in the world. Impressive given Hinduism's birthplace in India and the age of Angkor Wat!
Many joint-venture restorations are in progress on site in Angkor Archeological Park - former occupying countries like Japan, France and China are all chipping in, presumably as restitution for their misdeeds.
The whole complex is overrun with tourists; however, timing and location can make all the difference. Sunrises at Angkor Wat itself are a wild tourist extravaganza - find somewhere else to go. We enjoyed sunsets within temple walls to maximize light play and score some memorable scenes (and pictures of them) with few other people.
We loved Angkor Archeological Park and the accessible history it depicts.
As you can plainly see, Angkor is a photographer's dream. Myriad passages, fallen structures, religious and royal imagery/carvings, lighting and timelessness all combine to form these heady landscapes. Come, pause, snap and soak in this dreamy place!
From the outset of this trip, Cheryl and I wanted to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Our top concerns were Dengue and Malaria... both of which we managed through preventative measures and common sense, enabling the family to enjoy this amazing place on planet Earth.
We had the most superb guide take us through Angkor Wat with the kids - he shall remain nameless, at his request. Sound intriguing? It was - he gave us a thorough review of Cambodian ancient history and a heart-wrenching, first person account of more recent history - the Khmer Rouge and their 3-yr, terror-filled reign.
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| The Ta Prohm temple |
So... where to start?
Angkor wat is a single temple, but its name is often used to describe an entire city complex. The Angkor Archeological Park is the current name of the former metropolis.
It sits on privately owned land and so does not belong to the Cambodian people, which is a source of some friction because the attraction draws millions of tourists every year, earning it a small fortune in entrance fees.
Several temples in the park are listed as a UNESCO world heritage sites. To their credit, the owners have undertaken major restoration efforts to shore-up decaying structures and artworks therein. Several temples date back to the 800's and taken together, they record much of Cambodia's religious and cultural history from the 800's to the 1400's when the more modern buddhist wats of today began to formally separate church and state.
 |
| Photogenic Ta Prom temple |
During the French occupation of Cambodia, many relics and artifacts were removed from the temples and brought to Europe... the only things left are carved into the walls and so are immovable.
 |
| These ruins remain highly accessible to visitors |
You are free to clamour around, walk on the causeways, hallways and intact staircases of these structures, making visits fun - even for kids. Other, similar ruins in the world are much less accessible, in the noble name of preservation (and monetary gain).
 |
| Pillars, carvings, archways, doors, roofs and storytelling await you |
Though many of the structures in the area have been severely damaged by earthquakes and the passage of time, they remain intact enough to enjoy and appreciate. A walk through these temple ruins provokes a heady appreciation for the vastness of time, the power of religion and the societies of the past.
 |
| Sandstone carvings of women - those without a belly stripe are virgins - the stripes indicate a count of children |
Some of the temples became completely encased in sand and have subsequently been unearthed by archeologists. New ruins continue to be discovered even today using satellite imagery to highlight relief and probable sites. The city was huge - bigger than modern-day Phnom Penh - the Cambodian capital city of 15 million!
 |
| Getting up close and personal with the ruins is encouraged, unlike Mexico, making these especially fun to explore |
The town of Siem Reap serves as a launch pad for tours of Angkor Archeological Park. The town has everything a tourist needs to make this happen - from tuk tuks and drivers-for-hire to hotels and restaurants.
 |
| Some of the temples are still actively used by monks and the public |
Buddhist baptism, anyone?
As tourism grows in Cambodia, so too do the opportunities for tourists to spend extra cash doing 'tourist stuff' - from helium balloon rides to dirt bike tours. I guess, there are only so many temple days a person can endure before a break is due 🤯.
 |
| Angkor wat - today's monks use cellphones! |
The temples are so very photogenic that photographers flock from all over the world to snap sunrise and sunset shots at specific sites reputed for their stunning visuals. You can get a tuk tuk driver to roll out of bed at 4am to make this happen for you - for USD$25/day!
 |
| Stunning sunsets on temple gates |
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| Restoration of... heads! |
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| Hinduism and Buddhism combine in Cambodia under the Khmer Empire |
A Khmer king in the 9th century united warring parties whose beliefs were, respectively, Buddhist (Chinese influence) and Hindu (Indian influence). This was the birth of the Khmer Empire. As a result, many of the structures built reflect this duality of beliefs - a buddhist temple with hindu snakes and figures - like Vishnu.
Causeway entrances to buddhist temples include Hindu snake railings (Nagas) and Vishnu appears across from Buddha. It's really a fascinating mash-up.
Indeed, the Khmer empire recognized both Hinduism and Buddhism as its religions - some kings were Hindus and others Buddhists. Today, Cambodia is +95% buddhist. Angkor wat, itself, is the largest hindu temple in the world. Impressive given Hinduism's birthplace in India and the age of Angkor Wat!
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| Cheryl, 'getting her wat on' |
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| Elephants hold special status in Cambodia and Thailand |
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| One of our favorites - the Ta Som temple |
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| Light playing on ancient monks' chambers |
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| This lady cracks me up - she's a real cracker-jack ;) |
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| Resting on history |
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| Let it shine! |
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| Echoes in the hallways? |
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| Well endowed guardian? |
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| More never-ending passages |
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| A room with a view... or 6! |
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| Exit gate depicting the 4 mental states of Theravāda buddhism - compassion, pity, kindness and equanimity |
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| Sunset over the water, guarded by a row of figures |
Many joint-venture restorations are in progress on site in Angkor Archeological Park - former occupying countries like Japan, France and China are all chipping in, presumably as restitution for their misdeeds.
The whole complex is overrun with tourists; however, timing and location can make all the difference. Sunrises at Angkor Wat itself are a wild tourist extravaganza - find somewhere else to go. We enjoyed sunsets within temple walls to maximize light play and score some memorable scenes (and pictures of them) with few other people.
We loved Angkor Archeological Park and the accessible history it depicts.
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| The huge Angkor Wat |
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| The Khmer people also have a thing for elephants! The small holes were created when the blocks were originally excavated - they're grip-holes. Blocks were moved down rivers and roadways. |
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| Doorway to Nirvana? |
As you can plainly see, Angkor is a photographer's dream. Myriad passages, fallen structures, religious and royal imagery/carvings, lighting and timelessness all combine to form these heady landscapes. Come, pause, snap and soak in this dreamy place!
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| Jesus Jim, I need a door, not a tree! |
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| Me with another lady that cracks me up ;) |
Beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rose - I'd be lying if I told you it was hard work... these were all shot in cellphones - quick 'n easy
ReplyDelete