Our World Tuesday: Ruins
Millions of visitors flock to Cambodia to see the world-renowned Angkor Wat. Expect the Big Three temples – Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, and Ta Prohm – to be overcrowded. Unknown to many, there are other temples that are not in most tour itineraries, like this one:
A lesser-known temple inside Angkor Wat archaeological complex in Siem Reap.
The name of the temple escapes me now (will post the name as soon as I find my notes). It is not well-known as it is often left off the routes of arranged tours. It is just a small temple with some parts were partially collapsed and other areas in relatively good condition. However, at the time of our visit, it was closed for restoration work (hence the fences) and we could only see the facade but not inside the temple. As you can see, there was nobody else in sight when we visited (just me and my husband).
Update: The temple is called Baphuon, a three-tiered temple dedicated to Shiva and is “next door” to Bayon Temple. Both temples are found inside Angkor Thom.
APAD 277: Images
This is another altar found inside between two huge boulders. See this post. There are two images of the Buddha, one of which is reclining. The third statue is of someone, looking emaciated. I could not understand the guide though regarding the relevance of the emaciated statue to the Buddhas. Perhaps another reason for a road trip there. This is why exploring the countryside is fun, investigate like Indiana Jones and learn folk stories!
APAD 269: Hope
Hang in there, little flower. Hope is in the horizon.
This is just one of the views that welcomed us in our previous road trip. As it was at the height of summer, when the whole Kingdom was dry, dusty, and arid, we began our trip very early morning. On our first stop was an ordinary hill. However, tucked amidst the green vegetation on this hill lies the remnants of a lesser known ancient temple with a history of its own.
APAD 264: Buddhist shrine
It was the last day of the Chinese New Year when, and a very early morning at that, when my husband and I decided to go on a road trip. We ended up in Phnom Prasith, some 30kms away from Phnom Penh.
A lonely shrine sits on top of the hill.
I wrote about our trip there in this blog post.
To get there, from Phnom Penh, take National Road Number 5 until you reach Prek Phnov market. Then turn left and drive 13kms more on a dirt road. The scenery is beautiful along the way, except for the dust as there were road constructions at the time we went there. You will see the hills, and one of them has a very old temple with a giant reclining Buddha. Take time to talk with the caretakers as they may tell you interesting stories.
APAD 112: Mystical
Pardon the not-so-wordless entry this week.
This photo was taken more than a month ago when my brother, my husband and I explored around Wat Phnom Prasith, an hour’s drive northwest of Phnom Penh. This old stupa attracted my attention. With the gnarly trees surrounding it, it looked interesting so I took photos (one of them is shown above). After camera shots were done, something jolted me.
I sensed something, like a mystical air, blowing through this part of the woods. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. And when I started to walk away, I felt goosebumps on my arms making me quicken my steps to catch up with my husband and brother.
I wonder what that was. I can still remember the odd feeling up to now.
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