Kandal | Inside Cambodia

APAD 111: Temple guardian

Posted by The Insider on Apr 2, 2013 in A Photo a Day, Addicted to Meme, All things Khmer, Cambodia life, Cycle 2, sights, That's My World, travel, What's On in Cambodia | 3 comments

I’ve always been fascinated by different mythical creatures and deities and living here in Cambodia doesn’t disappoint. These creatures are present in Khmer culture.

This is a temple guardian called, or a dvarapala. And it’s only one of the many other dvarapalas that adorn in most Khmer temples. Another kind of dvarapala is found here.

APAD 105: Dry

Posted by The Insider on Mar 20, 2013 in A Photo a Day, Addicted to Meme, All things Khmer, Cambodia life, Cycle 2, sights, That's My World, travel, What's On in Cambodia | 3 comments

. Summer in Cambodia.

APAD 104: Another wat on a hill

Posted by The Insider on Mar 19, 2013 in A Photo a Day, Addicted to Meme, All things Khmer, Cambodia, Cycle 2, sights, That's My World, travel, What's On in Cambodia | 1 comment

In one of our previous trips to the countryside, my husband and I passed by this newly-constructed wat (temple) located just within the same area as Wat Phnom Oudong. This temple is called Wat Leu, if I remember it correctly. It sits on top of a hill on the other side of Phnom Oudong. “Leu” means top, hence, the wat‘s name which means the upper wat.

This is the new prayer hall in magnificent gold and maroon colours. The roof is decorated in ornate Khmer classical design, the kbach, and the five-headed naga, a mythical water serpent.

Here are some pictures we took while exploring the wat. Click the picture once to open it in a new tab. Once it opens in a new tab, click the picture again, if you want a larger view.

: The entrance to Wat Leu is guarded by these two solar lions.

: Visitors are treated to a breath-taking view of rural Kandal.

: There is also some stone statues inside the premises, including that of Ganesha.

The temple although very new is a great place for taking photos. The beautiful flat countryside dotted with palm trees as far as the eyes can see. It is also very quiet and local villagers come here to seek peace and serenity if only for a few hours.