Angkor Thom 10/28/09

---

Angkor Thom was a fortified capitol city at end of 12th century and is part of the Angkor Wat park. There are temples and a ruined Royal Palace inside the walls of the city. Some of the sites we visited were: Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, and Prasat Suor Prat. Most of the original structures back in the days of yore were wooden so all that is left is stone, stone and more stone (and even some of those are gone due to age and General Pol pot's Khmer Rouge army stealing buddha heads in 1970's & 80's. The center of the ancient city of Angkor moved around depending on who was king at the time.

The second most famous temple in Angkor is the Bayon. This is one of the ones with all the large faces carved all over it. In fact, any site with faces carved on it were all done under the same king, Jayavarman VII. Considered one of the greatest kings of Angkor. In fact its his face you see carved in the rock. He is the one that began the conversion of hindu to buddism of the ancient khmer peoples. Whereas Angkor Wat impresses with its size, Bayon is what you expect in a jungle temple. Complex, claustrophobic with hallways that are complex and intricate and all of it a little bit creepy. Every time you get to the outside, King Jay is staring at you. So cool.

Baphuon is a single sanctuary temple that is under reconstruction so you can't climb up to top.

Phimeanakas is a temple that was part of the Royal Palace for King Jay. We got to climb all the way to the top.

Terrace of the Leper King is a long stone terrace with a statue of the Leper King. Who is and why the Leper King is the Leper King is debatable.

Terrace of the Elephants is a long stone terrace with elephants carved into the wall.

Victory Gate is one of the 3 entrances/exits to the ancient city of Angkor Thom. You drive through the archway.

Chau Say Tevoda is a small temple right outside Victory Gate. Small but interesting none the less.

---

Photos

Baphuon temple
Causeway to temple. There's a causeway because it floods in rainy season,

Baphuon temple
Stairway to sanctuary but is closed for reconstruction

Baphuon temple
View from 1st level back down causeway

Phimeanakas temple
Yup, that's a lot of stairs

Phimeanakas
Yup, still a lot of stairs and that's Rick humping it up to the summit

Phimeanakas
Rick in a side hallway @ top

Phimeanakas
Tammy in same hallway

Tree outside Phimeanakas
Is anything small in this country?

Terrace of the Leper King
Buddha

Terrace of the Elephants
If you can't see them, you're blind.

Terrace of the Elephants
Even a stone elephant can't lift Rick.

Terrace of the 'Elephants
Pond in front of the wall of elephants (oh, and a large white one sitting on the stones)

Prasat Sour Prat
12 sandstone towers leading into Angkor Thom city. Purpose is debatable.

Victory Gate
One of the three entrances/exits to Angkor Thom.

Comments

[Karen Howard]

Wow!
Thanks for going through all the travel and hassles so we can enjoy the culture, history and architecture through your eyes! Karen

[Allene Lewis]

So far your travels have been totally amazing
Thanks for keeping in touch and letting us travel with you. Keep the blogs coming. Amazing!!!!