KO and the Turk: Apsaras and Renegade Trees

After a sunrise morning in Angkor Wat, we had time to explore the less visited temples. These I found more fun to discover since they were smaller with fewer people, but with the same wandering hallways, apsaras, carved walls and overgrown structures.

Near Angkor Wat is the Bayon Temple that was built in the center of the walled capital of Khmer. This temple is known for its 200+ faces built within and among some 40 towers. It almost looks like these faces are watching you and will even quietly speak. This was the most fun of temples to visit.

Bayon Temple - start noticing how many faces you can see - all looking at YOU

good perspective of the temple's towers

One way to enter Bayon - elephant ride through the gate with menacing face

These figures are holding the naga serpent that guards the bridge to the temple

Outer wall bass reliefs mostly focused on battles between Khmers and their traditional enemies the Chams. Seems there is a dancing guy in the middle!

I liked this one depicting people falling into the sea and an alligator chomping down on an extra unlucky guy's leg

Reliefs also showed daily life. Here women are preparing food while people are serving the meal.

4 heads on this tower

a satisfied look despite being pieced together

this head has presence

heads facing one another

dancers who appear quite agile

another dancer within the filigree

proof the Hindu temple 'converted' to Buddhism

nose to nose....see it?

Neak Pean temple is located on a man made island surrounded by waters once considered to have healing properties. In the center of the island is the temple surrounded by nagas, serpants. This is another example of a temple that combines Buddhist and Hindu images.

water temple

Preah Khan is a significant temple built in the 12th century covering 138 acres. This temple, and others at Angkor were discovered by the French in late 1800's. Restoration started in 1991(after the end of the war) by the World Monument Fund who's goal is to create techniques for conserving historical ruins while helping to train Cambodian professionals and workers to continue the work.

one of 72 sandstone 15 ft tall Garudas, an eagle like divine being that guards the temple

yes, this is a dried stick holding up the roof!

hallways from central hall reach in all 4 directions

ornate entryway

Hindu Rishis may have been recarved from Buddhas in 13th cent

stupa in main temple

a guard

2 story Greek style mystery building

Hall of Dancers cornice

tree root overtaking wall

tree has taken over the structure

only a tree is holding these giant stones up

capturing the light above the stupa

working on our mudras

Ta Som Temple is one of the smaller temples that hasnt gotten much attention because it is surrounded by other larger temples. It's uniqueness is really the giant strangler fig that has taken over one of the gates. We really liked studying the well preserved bas reliefs without having to look around crowds of tourists.

really amazing to see

beautiful reliefs

See the rows of praying people

so many unique characters

she glowed

out of the ordinary souvenirs and artisans at this temple

standard Khymr 12th century architecture with towers that have heads and nagas along the entrance steps

Srah Srang was the Royal Bath and is a large lake. A platform that leads to the lake has two big lions looking out at the lake with the railings for the stairs guarded by naga serpents. There are other creatures around the platform that make it special.

one of the lions, looking over several serpents out to the lake

Across the road from Srah Srang is the Banteay Kdei Temple. This temple was used as an active Buddhist monastery on and off until 1960's. It is very peaceful here as there are few tourists. The funny thing we noticed was a consistent chirping sound, like a low car alarm. We found out that this chirping was from a type of cicada! This creature was also resident at Angkor Wat.