Monday, March 24, 2014

Further explorations of Angkor Wat

We continued our guided exploration. Temples went from a pretty good shape to barely a jumble of rocks. A lot of work has gone into preserving some of the sites.

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This was a religious pond where people came to make offerings and ask for healing.

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Some of the sites fare relatively well. Most have been restored by french archeologists.

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Others not so well!

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In some places nature is reclaiming the place.

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The Apsaras stand guard at the temples.

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This is the symbolic god that they prayed for at the temples. Yes it is supposed to be phallic, and you are lucky to see one. Most have gone missing.

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Water and nature slowly claim what its theirs.

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Ali is always up for a pose with beheaded demons and gods.

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There is one of those missing heads. Once again not many left. Notice the long ears. That is typical of Cambodians at the time.

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Some parts of the site are really really busy. I guess some people come just for one day and this is where they want to go. 

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This is the smiling face atop of the gate from the picture preceding this one. The faces are on the four cardinal points and bring good fortune to the kingdom. And hopefully to us as well. More temples to come in the next post!


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