Baphuon Temple Cambodia

Cambodia has a special place in my heart. I went here due to some personal dilemmas that I needed to escape out of Singapore. For travelling never fails to refresh my mind & give me new ideas in liffe. Anyhow, here's the third part of my Cambodia trip last month. This blog post is all about my half day tour to what I call "Temple Run" popularly known as the Baphuon Temple. 

Angkor Thom: Large temple- mountain in Angkor Thom. Recently re-opened after an extensive and troubled restoration. The project began in the early 1970s with archaeologist dismantling much it, but abandoned in 1975 due ti war. The records were lost during the war years, leaving an enormous rock jigsaw puzzle. The restoration was restarted in the 1990s and the temple finally reopened just last year. Note the unique animal carvings at the walkway entrance. Similar carvings are visible on West Mebon. Also note the impressively large reclining Buddha on the west side, which was added to the temple in the 16th century.

The Temple Run.

Ta Prohm Angkor Cambodia

Ta Prohm is a sprawling monasteric complex that is only partially cleared of jungle over-growth. Intentionally left partially unrestored, massive fig & silk- cotton tress grow from the towers and corridors offering a "jungle atmosphere" and some of the best "tree-in-temple" photo opportunities at Angkor. Unfortunately, massive numbers of visitors and the recent installation of wooden walkways are detracting some from the "jungle atmosphere."

Ta Phrom is still well worth an extended exploration of its dark corridors and open plazas. This temple was one of Jayavarman VII's first major temple projects. Ta Prohm was dedicated to his mother. (Preah Khan, built shortly after Ta Prohm in the same general style, was dedicated to Jayavarman VII's father.) Ta Prohm was originally constructed as a Buddhist monastery and was enormously wealthy in its time, boasting of control over 3000 villages, thousnads of support staff and vast stores of jewels and gold. Of the monastic complex style temples, Ta Prohm is a superior exmaple and should e included in almost any temple itinerary.

The entrance gate to the temple of Ta Prohm.

Angkor Wat Cambodia

This is one big check for the things I need to do before I die. To be in Cambodia & witness Angkor Wat right with your naked eyes is such a fulfilling dream anyone can experience. Considered to be world's largest religious monument, Angkor Wat is a must see place & definitely worth visiting for. In this blog post, I will share more details of my travel experience, preparation, budget & itineraries to help everyone make the best of your Cambodia's infamous Angkor Wat one of a kind experience. Here we go.

Angkor literally means "Capital City" or "Holy City". In its modern usage, "Angkor" has come to refer to the capital city of the Khmer Empire that existed in the area of Cambodia. It represents the pinnacle of the ancient Khmer architecture, art and civilisation.

There are dozens of temple ruins in the Siam Reap area, many of the most significant within the Angkor Archaeological Park just north of the city, others further afield. The temples vary in importance, interest & condition and are spread over a large area, often kilometres apart. Your itinerary should depend largely on the length of your visit and your level of interest, though some ruins are must-sees. Any itinerary should definitely include the legendary Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65 metres from ground level. Angkor Wat is the centerpiece of any visit to the temples of Angkor.