Wednesday, July 29, 2009

1 July – Ta Prohm, Cambodia

We eagerly continued our temple safari. Admittedly, there were times when the children stayed in the air-conditioned car while their parents chased through some less famous temples...
We stopped to admire some of the entrance gates to Angkor Thom.
Ta Keo, a pyramid-like structure was impressive in its massive form. The steps were so steep that quite a few travelers must have ended their journeys here.
Preah Neak Pean was very serene and lovely with its five pools and a small temple structure in the center.
Ta Som is famous for the strangler fig tree which has all but swallowed one of the entrance towers.
Banteay Srei, from AD 967, is known for its pink sandstone and exquisite stone carvings.
The highlight was Ta Prohm, an enormous temple which has been invaded by equally enormous trees. Clearing the trees and vegetation would probably result in a collapse of the ruins, so the trees are allowed to continue their silent invasion. The result is spectacular for the visitors.

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