I visited Siem Reap, Cambodia for the first time. Have you ever been to Cambodia?
Cambodia is situated in Southeast Asia and their population stands at 17,077,508 in the 2024 population census. The nation’s landscape spans the low-lying plains, the Mekong Delta mountains and Gulf of Thailand coastline. Phnom Penh, its capital, is home to the art deco Central Market, glittering Royal Palace and the National Museum's historical and archaeological exhibits. In the country's northwest are the ruins of Angkor Wat, a massive stone temple complex built during the Khmer Empire. It has a very rich historical Culture and is a truly beautiful place to visit.
If one is more prone to city life, Phnom Penh, which is the capital city is the place to go. However, even amidst the busy city life one can still experience the ancient buildings and hear about the rich historical significance.
I of course wanted to experience Siem Reap, to visit Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm Temple and Bayon Temple. Years ago, the movie with Angelina Jolie “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) was shot at Bayon Temple and I decided then, that one day I will see this wonder. Although there is a lot of damage to this Temple there is also great work going on there to restore the temple and preserve these ancient temples.
Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century by the then King Suryavarmanll but was completed by Jayavarnam Vll. The vast temple comprises more than a thousand buildings. The visit to Angkor Wat starts at dawn and what a spectacular and deeply humbling experience it was, to stand quietly amongst thousands of strangers and witness the sunrise slowly brings the ancient Buddhist holy place to light.How incredible to see the details of each feature and remember that no trucks and machines were yet available at the time of building these marvels.
Next on my list was the very Lara Croft “The Tomb Raider” movie location at Ta Prohm temple. The original name for this temple was “Rajavihara” translated to the “Royal Monastery” and was “Mahayana Budhist monastery and learning center dedicated to the Kings mother. This temple was built without mortar and after it was abandoned the trees took root in the loosened stone crevices. The trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle is such a powerful sight of the amazing power of nature and an incredible sight to behold up close. The modern day, painfully slow and detailed restoration of the temple supports nature and the temple itself. The sight of these immense temple building and trees was a truly humbling site. There are so many nooks, crannies and walkways, one could easily spend an entire day there.
I then went on to the last temple my time allowed before I was due to travel home. The entrance to Bayon stands at the center of the “Jayavarman’s capital. The Bayaon’s most distinctive features are the multitude of serene faces of the Budha and was the last state temple to be built primarily to worship.Budhist deities. The similarities of the 216 faces on the temples towers has led scholars to the conclusion that they were all modeled on the then King’s Jayavarman VII fe
My visit was way too short to include all that my eyes feasted on and I hope the pictures entice you to one day make a trip there yourself. To behold these towering ancient, steeped in culture and historical giants built with only men and animals.
