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

thydzikgooglemap(http://sonyaandtravis.com/maps/banteay-srei-angkor-siem-reap-cambodia-jewel-khmer-art.xml,s)

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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Tree roots embedded into the temple walls

Temple walls with tree roots growing down the side

Sonya standing next to the roots of a large tree

Green moss on the walls of the covered halls

Looking across collapsed wall towards the trees

Roots of the strangler fig draped over the temple

Huge tree root growing over the temple stone roof

Travis standing in the roots of a Silk-cotton tree

Strangler fig roots draped over a stone entrance

Stegosaurus carving, one of the more unusual stone carvings we have seen

Tree growing from the corner of temple structure

Looking from the East over the wall towards Ta Prohm

thydzikgooglemap(http://sonyaandtravis.com/maps/ta-prohm-angkor-siem-reap-cambodia-tomb-raider-temple.xml)

Angkor Wat sunset, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Travis

We were cycling back from the temples and out of chance we cycled past the Angkor Wat moat which presented an amazing sunset reflected on the surface, much better than our experience on Phnom Bakheng.

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Thommanon, Chau Say Thevoda and Banteay Kdei Temples, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Travis

After thoroughly exploring the temples in Angkor Thom, we continued cycling east, along the short circuit of temples. Along this route are some amazing temples, including Thommanon Temple, Chau Say Thevoda Temple, Spean Thmor, Banteay Kdei Temple and Ta Prohm which I will devote a separate post to.

thydzikgooglemap(http://sonyaandtravis.com/maps/thommanon-chau-say-thevoda-banteay-kdei-temples-angkor-wat-siem-reap-cambodia.xml)

Thommanon Temple

A beautiful intricate temple, featuring a large central tower, plenty of Devatas were carved into the stone around the temple.

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Doorway with jungle visible on other side

Chau Say Thevoda Temple

A smaller temple with nice stone carvings, though most damaged.

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One of the libraries of Chau Say Thevoda Temple

Multiple doors ways leading to the main chamber

Spean Thmor

An interesting ancient stone bridge with three arches, what was interesting was a large tree growing on top of it.

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Spean Thmor (Stone Bridge), of which an arch and several piers remain

Ta Keo Temple

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Banteay Kdei Temple

Banteay Kdei Temple, meanding Citadel of Chambers, is a large complex with multiple enclosures protect by parameter walls. Plenty of well preserved statues and wall carvings.

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