Prae Roup Temple, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Travis

On the fourth day in Siem Reap we decided to visit the Angkor region one last time, our three day pass had finished so we purchased a single day pass.

We made one last round of Angkor Wat temple, Prae Roup Temple that we had somehow missed, and gave the sunset on Phnom Bakheng a proper go.

Angkor Wat Temple

We had a quick stop at Angkor Wat from the eastern entrance, it wasn’t as crowded and still presented some nice views of the protruding central towers.

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Angkor Wat viewed from the Eastern entrance

Gopuras of Angkor Wat viewed from the East

Travis and Sonya at Angkor Wat Eastern entrance

The outer Eastern wall of Angkor Wat viewed from the West

Outer entrance Eastern wall of Angkor watt with Sonya taking a photo

Gopura of Angkor Wat viewed from the windows of the Eastern wall

Prae Roup Temple

Pre Rup temple is an eighteen meter high platform of three large towers. Once we reached the top we saw glimpses of Angkor Wat from afar.

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Pre Rup stairs to the base of the three towers

Looking down towards the entrance of Pre Rup

Mythical lions with the towers in the background

One of the towers of Pre Rup, notice the growth on the bricks

Simple person figure carved into the tower's bricks

Sonya and Travis at one of the entrances

East Mebon

Small temple with elephant statues around the outer terraces that made for good photos.

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Elephants around the terraces of East Mebon

Phnom Bakheng

Having left Phnom Bakheng prematurely previously, we decided to give the sunset viewed from this hill once last go, it was a nice way to end our time in the Angkor region, though I still think the sunset is overrated.

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Bayon at sunset, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Travis

As we where cycling back, we caught a few photos of Bayon at sunset. The reds and blues were a nice backdrop to the silhouetted faces.

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Banteay Srei, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia – the jewel of Khmer art

Posted on June 29, 2014 by Travis

On the third day of exploring the Angkor region, we decided to rest from the cycling and hired an auto rickshaw to explore some of the further out temples. The first temple was Banteay Srei which was twenty-five kilometres from the main Angkor region. Banteay Srei is unique due to it red colour, a result of being contrasted from red sandstone. The red sandstone also allowed for intricate carvings, which can be seen throughout the temple.

One of the interesting things we stumbled on was meeting Ted Brattstrom who was taking a giga-pixel photo of the inner portion of Banteay Srey using an automatic robotic mount. You can view the GigaPan here.

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Triangular pediment over the main complex entrance

Pediment on the entrance to inner temple

The Pediment of the entrance of the inner temple

The intricate reliefs carving of red coloured stone

Guarded by two kneeling statues of human figures with animal heads

The combat between Vāli and Sugrīva is depicted on the western gopura

Carving of a kala, a mythical creature representative of time and of the god Siva

Looking towards Banteay Srey from the western entrance

Sonya at the western entrance of Banteay Srey

Carved column windows mimicking lathed wood

Śiva seated on the summit of Mount Kailāsa, his mythological abode

Looking towards Banteay Srey from the east

Mythical creatures flanking the entrances of the inner sanctums

Ted Brattstrom producing a GigaPan with automated camera

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Ta Prohm, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia – Tomb Raider Temple

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Travis

Ta Prohm was one of the most impressive temples of Angkor, we visited this temple while cycling the shorter router between Angkor Thom and Banteay Kdei. Ta Prohm has been left overgrown with jungle and this can be seen through the numerous giant silk-cotton trees and strangler fig trees intertwined with the stone architecture.

Ta Prohm was also featured in the move Tomb Raider, we overheard a tour operator point out the iconic spot where Lara Croft emerges from the temple.

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