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"Earth is round, Time is short"
.
... in Angkor, Cambodia
   

 

(from www.cambodia-travel.com/angkor/map.htm)

The temples photos you are going to see hereunder are the only left remaining of the mighty Khmer Empire. This empire ruled over a vast territory, including most of what is now known as Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and of course, Cambodia. Between the 9th and 14th centuries, the Khmer Kings developed the Angkor area into an administrative and religious center.Angkor was during that period as the cultural heart of South-East Asia.

The Khmer kings built roughly 100 temples and monuments in the 80 - 100 square kilometers area of Angkor site

 

  

 

 

In the 15th Century, Angkor was abandonned (Cambodia was taken over by Thailand) and mainly recovered with Jungle forest till a french explorer brought its discovery to the western world in 1860. Until today, many european, and japanese funds finance expeditions to uncover the ruins and re-build monuments which can be restored.

In 1992, UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) declared Angkor as one of the World Heritage Site.

 

 

(from www.cambodia-travel.com/angkor/map.htm)

 

  

 

 

Magnificient and famous Angkor Vat Temple, biggest buddhist temple in Cambodia. All the celebrated temples of Angkor area are Cambodia's greatest tourist attraction. Angkor Vat, like the majority part of the temples was build of sandstone.

 

  

 

A closer from-the-left view of Angkor Vat Temple. A buddhist monk walks from the right.

 

  

 

This close scene on a wall insite Angkor Vat temple represents 3 "apsaras" (king's dancers)

 

  

 

amazing and somehow mystic stoneheads above the entrance gate of Preah Khan Temple

 

  

 

a corridor in the second level of Angkor Vat temple.

 

  

 

Magnificient Four-faced towers of Le Bayon Temple, biggest temple of Angkor Thom site/area

  

 

 

View of Ta Prohm temple fom the inside. The tourist coming between the tree roots gives an idea of how impressive and big is this tree...

 

  

 

Rear view of Ta Prohm Temple

 

  

 

A door-gate at the entrance of Angkor Thom area.

 

  

 

... looks a bit like if you're about to witness Tomb Raider in live, no ?

 

  

 

Few of the eight tower of Banteay Temple and buddhist monestary (12th century). Its architecture, different from other typical temples and influenced by Thailand's temples architecture. Kingdoms of Cambodia and Thailand were on continuous wars and borrowed each other some architecture to celebrate the victory...

 

  

 

A lady farmer sweeps the floor next to her home, located only meters away from Preah Khan Temple

 

  

 

2 buddhist monks get a rest and look outside down of a window in Angkor Vat temple

 

  

 

This is how people manage public transportation in Siam Reap area... at that time, many cambodians just gathered to celebrate the local new year (mid of April).

 

  

 

Disabled musicians perform next to the temples so as to attract the tourist's attention and get donations.

 

 

  

 

2 kids play while waiting for for their parents who are busy selling tea leaves to tourists.

 

  

 
As an early reference of what was Angkor site partly covered with jungle when discovered, I recommend this book, published in 2001 by a Thai edition company compiles around 70 black and white photos of what looked like the Angkor ruins in 1909, just when the site was opened to the public... If you want to get this book, just click on the book to let appear a link to an reseller on the internet.