The Khmer Apsaras
Apsaras are female spirits of the clouds and waters and stem from Buddhist and Hindu mythology. There are countless carvings of the Apsaras, most of them topless and posed, all over Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Apsaras are female spirits of the clouds and waters and stem from Buddhist and Hindu mythology. There are countless carvings of the Apsaras, most of them topless and posed, all over Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
The Light of Shiva
Angkor Wat has an interesting mix of Hinduism and Buddhism that I won’t go into right now… maybe in a later post I can talk more about it. As you can see here, you see a traditional Buddhist worshipper in front of a statue of Shiva.
Angkor Wat has an interesting mix of Hinduism and Buddhism that I won’t go into right now… maybe in a later post I can talk more about it. As you can see here, you see a traditional Buddhist worshipper in front of a statue of Shiva.
The Timelessness of Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat in Siem Riep (meaning, “The Defeat of the Siamese”) is one of the best ancient sites to visit in the world. There are hardly any tourists, which I, for some jaded reason, despise as a rule. Also, the extreme heat and weather patterns of the area seemed to make for the most unusual sky configurations. I did my best to capture one of them here. Secondly, below the picture of the temple, I have put another one of my favorites from Angkor Wat, which is an old tree that has grown up and over the ruins, entombing them in roots.
Angkor Wat in Siem Riep (meaning, “The Defeat of the Siamese”) is one of the best ancient sites to visit in the world. There are hardly any tourists, which I, for some jaded reason, despise as a rule. Also, the extreme heat and weather patterns of the area seemed to make for the most unusual sky configurations. I did my best to capture one of them here. Secondly, below the picture of the temple, I have put another one of my favorites from Angkor Wat, which is an old tree that has grown up and over the ruins, entombing them in roots.
They Know Everything About You
Moving from courtyard to court hard within the temple, I came across these three monks in their bright orange robes.
Moving from courtyard to court hard within the temple, I came across these three monks in their bright orange robes.
Heads of Kings and Heads of Buddhas
This is the entryway to one of Angkor Wat’s grand gates in Cambodia. This is the most well-preserved area. Most heads from other areas have either been stolen by treasure hunters or removed by the communists during the period of the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot.
This is the entryway to one of Angkor Wat’s grand gates in Cambodia. This is the most well-preserved area. Most heads from other areas have either been stolen by treasure hunters or removed by the communists during the period of the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot.
The Long Hall of the Temple
This was shot in the outer cloister of Angkor Wat at about 3 PM. When standing in the sunny part, it was about 102 degrees, and in the shady part, it was a much cooler 101 degrees.
This was shot in the outer cloister of Angkor Wat at about 3 PM. When standing in the sunny part, it was about 102 degrees, and in the shady part, it was a much cooler 101 degrees.
The Secret Cave, Enshrouded in Roots
This overgrown enclosure was found deep in the jungles of Cambodia, which is about 99% of Cambodia.
This overgrown enclosure was found deep in the jungles of Cambodia, which is about 99% of Cambodia.
Grooming and Bugs
I found these two monkeys (male and female) by themselves preening one another in the late afternoon in the jungles of Cambodia.
I found these two monkeys (male and female) by themselves preening one another in the late afternoon in the jungles of Cambodia.
The Buddha King of Angkor Wat
Each of the 23 towers of Angkor Thom, one of the largest sub-cities inside Angkor Wat, is covered with these faces. Like many of the remaining ruins, this one was built by king Jayavarman VII, whose face has been combined with Buddha’s throughout the city to create a combined royal and religious imposing presence that permeates the city.
Each of the 23 towers of Angkor Thom, one of the largest sub-cities inside Angkor Wat, is covered with these faces. Like many of the remaining ruins, this one was built by king Jayavarman VII, whose face has been combined with Buddha’s throughout the city to create a combined royal and religious imposing presence that permeates the city.
The Secret Passageway to the Treasure
After the crowds of Angkor Wat, it was nice to go find a remote temple in the jungle and be alone. This temple laid under the jungle, completely undiscovered for centuries. The hallway and mysterious chambers seemed to go on forever. BTW, if you go to Angkor Wat and you want a good tour guide, contact "Eath Soratanak". You can call him "Tak". He can be reached at ratanak_eath@yahoo.com or at (855) 92 725 552. He speaks English almost as well as Sir Anthony Hopkins and has an accent somewhere between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Larry Flynt.
After the crowds of Angkor Wat, it was nice to go find a remote temple in the jungle and be alone. This temple laid under the jungle, completely undiscovered for centuries. The hallway and mysterious chambers seemed to go on forever. BTW, if you go to Angkor Wat and you want a good tour guide, contact "Eath Soratanak". You can call him "Tak". He can be reached at ratanak_eath@yahoo.com or at (855) 92 725 552. He speaks English almost as well as Sir Anthony Hopkins and has an accent somewhere between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Larry Flynt.
One Dollar, Sir!
I arrived at this remote Cambodian temple late in the afternoon and was immediately descended upon by about a dozen children, all offering me locally made goods for $1.
I arrived at this remote Cambodian temple late in the afternoon and was immediately descended upon by about a dozen children, all offering me locally made goods for $1.
Streaming Light at the Fortified Gatehouse
This gatehouse sits on one side of the moat of Angkor Wat. We were not supposed to be inside the gate this late but my monk friend has some pull with the locals.
This gatehouse sits on one side of the moat of Angkor Wat. We were not supposed to be inside the gate this late but my monk friend has some pull with the locals.
The Crypt at Sunset
Sunset on a hilltop near Angkor Wat.
Sunset on a hilltop near Angkor Wat.
