Ta Keo temple
The Angkor Thom temple complex was the main attraction for the second half of our temple tour. However, we briefly made a pit stop on the way to see Ta Keo. Ta Keo's preservation is currently funded by China in coordination with UNESCO. The walls of of the temple have intricate Sanskrit writing carved into them. Savun explained that one of Cambodia's former kings used the walls to record good deeds done by citizens.
After exploring Ta Keo, we headed to Angkor Thom. In ancient times, Angkor Thom was a city surrounded by a big gate. The gate we passed through to get to the complex was incredible. Savun explained that it is called Victory Gate, and the king's army used it to enter the city if they were victorious in battle. There is also a gate that they used if they had been defeated. The roads leading up to both gates are lined with large demon statues (unfortunately, most of the statues were beheaded - again, done out of disrespect during war). The gates have a statue with four faces of Buddha at the very top.
After exploring Ta Keo, we headed to Angkor Thom. In ancient times, Angkor Thom was a city surrounded by a big gate. The gate we passed through to get to the complex was incredible. Savun explained that it is called Victory Gate, and the king's army used it to enter the city if they were victorious in battle. There is also a gate that they used if they had been defeated. The roads leading up to both gates are lined with large demon statues (unfortunately, most of the statues were beheaded - again, done out of disrespect during war). The gates have a statue with four faces of Buddha at the very top.
 Sanskrit writing on wall at Ta Keo |  Statues lining the road to Victory Gate |  Victory Gate - see the faces of buddha at the top? There is one facing out each way |
One of the faces of Buddha at Victory Gate
Right inside the gate is the Baphuon Temple. At one time, Baphuon was a very regal structure where the king would greet visitors who came to Angkor Thom. Savun explained that a Chinese ambassador who visited the temple during the rule of the last Buddhist king (Hindu kings later took over) wrote about his experience, and the temple was documented as being a magnificent structure with large glass windows overlooking the city. It was pretty amazing to try and picture this... and amazing that records from the Chinese ambassador still exist!
Savun said the last Buddhist king was one of the last greatest kings of Cambodia, and really cared about their people. The Chinese ambassador wrote about his just manner of ruling, and how criminals were punished by being banished from the city and forced to live on their own outside of the city walls.
Right on the outskirts of Baphuon is a large pagoda with a statue of Buddha. When we passed it, Buddhist nuns were praying with a little girl and her family. Savun guessed the family might be from the countryside and had come to pray with the nuns because they needed a stroke of good luck. It was a very spiritual sight to see.
Besides the striking sights of the temples, Joe and I were floored by the sounds. The forests were very loud with what must have been thousands of cicadas. I captured the video below to give you an idea of how noisy it was!
Savun said the last Buddhist king was one of the last greatest kings of Cambodia, and really cared about their people. The Chinese ambassador wrote about his just manner of ruling, and how criminals were punished by being banished from the city and forced to live on their own outside of the city walls.
Right on the outskirts of Baphuon is a large pagoda with a statue of Buddha. When we passed it, Buddhist nuns were praying with a little girl and her family. Savun guessed the family might be from the countryside and had come to pray with the nuns because they needed a stroke of good luck. It was a very spiritual sight to see.
Besides the striking sights of the temples, Joe and I were floored by the sounds. The forests were very loud with what must have been thousands of cicadas. I captured the video below to give you an idea of how noisy it was!
 Baphuon |  Pagoda with Buddha statue between Baphuon and Bayon |  Buddhist nuns pray with a little girl |
Bayon
The final stop on our temple tour was Bayon. I would have to say that the most amazing aspect of Bayon to me were the multiple carvings of Buddha throughout the site. I can only image how long it must have taken to carve each one of the enormous faces!
Bayon also had really awesome carvings on its walls that depicted different wars. At first glance, the carvings of the people all looked the same to me. However, Savun pointed out small details, like headdress and facial hair, that depicted warriors from different countries - Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Joe and I really enjoyed our temple tour. It was great learning about the history of Cambodia and surreal to be surrounded by such ancient sites!
Bayon also had really awesome carvings on its walls that depicted different wars. At first glance, the carvings of the people all looked the same to me. However, Savun pointed out small details, like headdress and facial hair, that depicted warriors from different countries - Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Joe and I really enjoyed our temple tour. It was great learning about the history of Cambodia and surreal to be surrounded by such ancient sites!
 One of Bayon's many faces of Buddha |  Nose to nose with Buddha |  Joe, Savun, and I in front of Bayon |
RSS Feed