Angkor Wat & Preah Khan

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May 6, 2005:
Sunrise at Angkor Wat-- We arrived with plenty of time to spare and watched the sun come up slowly over the ancient towers of the masterpiece of the Angkorian period. One of the two pools of water isn't dried up and you can see the suns reflection in the water between the lilly pads along with the temple towers and palm trees.

Journal Continued:
Josh, Cristel and I ran about looking for the best all time spot to watch the sunrise, and then decided that the best thing would be to get inside and enjoy the temple in isolation while everyone outside waited for what proved to be a less than remarkable sunrise. You can't have it all... so we made the best of the situation and spent a good half of our time getting detailed explanations of the bas-relief that were depicted along the entire circumference of the temple from our helpful guide Chamon.(or something like that). He told us the story of the churning of the sea milk where vishnu, demons and other gods and one helpful snake, start churning the sea from the back of a turtle in order to create the elixer of immortality. Gods on one side and demons on the other pull the two sides of the one very long snake along 88meters of sandstone. "beeeooooooootifooool" as chamon would describe it.

Journal Continued:
Chamon had a very particular style of story telling which included first person dialogue from the perspective of the actors in each of the sandstone depictions. In another, the battle between two brothers over one woman Chamon said... "and then the younger brother said, 'oh isn't she pretty' and then brought his army against his brother. The gods were also involved in this battle ... and the victor was the older brother as it WAS his wife.

Above: From one of the towers at Angkor Wat. The jungle trying to move in from all sides.

Left: Offerings for the Buddha at the top of Angkor Wat. :

Journal Continued:
Another section desribed the oft=told hindu story of Rama, whose wife was stolen by demons and the hanuman king of the monkey army helped retrieve her. At Angkor, there is a massive display of the battle between demons and monkey soldiers... complete with gorging monkeys, decapitated demons, and of course Rama's wife. Evidently there was a marital dispute between husband and wife when she returned. Chamon: "And then Rama said, 'did the demons sleep with you?'... 'no, I am original.' his wife said. 'Idon't believe you,' rama said. his wife was very angry .. 'don't you trust me, I am your wife I do not lie.' ..." The story ends happily, she walks through fire to prove her sincerity and "originality" and all is well.

Journal Continued:
Mostly restored, the temple at Angkor wat was once like Ta Prohm, and so, the meters and meters of bas-reliefs were protected from the elements over the centuries. Thus, they maintain the remarkable detail and masterful work that they originally had. Definitely a highlight of the trip. By 10 in the morning, however it was already over 100 degrees and 99% humidity, so we retreated back to the cool of the hotel AC rooms and relaxed...

In the afternoon, we visited Preah Khan. The temple of the sacred sword. Currently being restored by teh World monument fund, the temple was originally dedicated in 1191. Outside is a series of statues, again depicting the churning of the milk. Inside in the dark corridors, you can see more of the ancient and preserved statues of the period.
ce to grow up...

Right: The King being carried about on his platform by his servants... forever in the walls of Angkor Wat.

Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. :

Right: The battle of two brothers for the love of one woman. The older brother, whose wife's honor is on the line, wins.

Journal Continued:
Finally, we climbed up to Phnom Bakeng to watch the sunset. Cristel and I were discussing the point of these efforts... to climb in the hordes of people to see what inevitably is something relatively unremarkable. Josh said that it was to celebrate the end of the day and the hope of a new, fresh day... I said that I thought it was worth it because 1 time in a 100, the sunrise and sunset were so beautiful that it made the effort of the other 99 times worth it. You do it for the hope that this will be the 1 in a 100 time that is amazing. This... was NOT one of those times. The sun set with hardly a fanfare. And then we walked down the dangerous eroding steps and slippery hillside in the fading light.:

Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. :

Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. :

Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. :

Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. :
Right: Terrace of the Elephants A closeup of a baby monkey who resides full time on the verdant grounds of Akbar's tomb. Not a bad place to grow up...

Right: Angkor Wat in the afternoon light surrounded by the moat.

Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. :

Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. :

Right: Monks day out. A closeup of a baby monkey who resides full time on the verdant grounds of Akbar's tomb. Not a bad place to grow up...

:	Left: Terrace of the Elephants A closeup of a baby monkey who resides full time on the verdant grounds of Akbar's tomb. Not a bad place to grow up...

Left: Terrace of the Leper Kings

Left: Terrace of the Leper Kings

Right: Ta Keo A closeup of a baby monkey who resides full time on the verdant grounds of Akbar's tomb. Not a bad place to grow up...

:	Left: The construction of the temples near Siem Reap are all made without mortar. The stones were carved to fit exactly together like a puzzle.

Right: In this section of Preah Khan, the jungle seems to be taking over.

Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. :

Right: A closeup of a baby monkey who resides full time on the verdant grounds of Akbar's tomb. Not a bad place to grow up...

:	Left: Ta Prohm Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. --> Previous --> Next --> Home --> More Adventures --> cambodia Index