Angkor - Cambodia 11th December 2014
Today was our first encounter with one of the most significant archaeological site on earth and we all looking forward very much to it.
After a breakfast including fruit we had never seen or heard of, we went back to our room to mix mosquito repellent with sweat from the high humidity so we were attractive to nothing on earth including ourselves.
Paul and Mandy we still abstaining from eating and there is a real concern that they would pass out from malnutrition.
The region of Angkor is a site so large that it takes at least a week to cover - we have about 2-3 days only. it represents form Hindus, heaven on earth and is a representation of Mt Meru, Mt Olympus of the Hindu faith and the abode of the ancient gods. Angkor Wat at the centre of it all is quite simply the worlds largest religious building.
The first call was to the lesser visited but probably most important Banteay Srei which, because of its fine stone engraving is rumoured to be constructed by women.
Many thousands of tons of stone were brought from the a mountain range about 40km away by canals that were dug specially for the transport and pulled by ox.
Humidity is so great that it forms condensation between the lens and the filter on the camara.
Bayon
This is a spectacular creation from king Jayavarman VII and his inflated ego. Nearly a mile of high stone walls all engraved with scenes of life in about 1180AD. 11,000 figures carved in stone was a spectacular sight but almost impossible to photograph or even grasp. it took 27 years to build and we just walked around in an about 30 minutes or so.
Utterly breathtaking and we hovered around at sunset to capture the golden hour as the sun set leaving a golden top on this remarkable monument.
The breathtaking sight of the Bayon built in 1180 and a complete celebration of life mixed with Hindu gods and 32 carvings of the kings face.
Paul, Mandy and Janette we all ok until the guide pointed out the land mine locations. We are advised always to stay on the paths as there is rumored to be still many hundreds of thousands of land mines hidden by Kemhr Rouge and yet to be found.
The front of the Bayon an hour before sunset.
The wall containing the kings own designs took over 30 years to carve - not a bad contract !!
At the end of all of that intense heat, humidity and walking, we fell back into our car with our driver and guide and made for our hotel.
After hosing ourselves down from sweat and mosquito repellent and determined to sample downtown Seam Reaps treasures, we asked the hotel to organise our limo for us. Eventually out Tuk Tuk turned up and with dignified style, we all got in. Steve had fell in as his legs did not function properly and there seemed to be an inexplicable problem with a 5' small Cambodian who was lighter than his helmet on a 50cc Honda bike pulling a cart with 4 Europeans with a combined weight of...er.."a fair bit" but nevertheless, with a smell of burning clutch and hysteria from the back we set off to town at about 3mph.
After an interesting drive, weaving around the traffic "Cambodian style" and a detour through the pump forecourt of the petrol station, we made it and the locally recommended Cambodian restaurant was ahead of us.
Siam Reap was historically a trendy travel location until the 1970s and it had all but disappeared under the Pol Pot regime but now it seems to be an expanding travel location for youngsters like us and backpackers.
Angkor What (get it?) - "Promoting Irresponsible Drinking Since 1998" not a bad slogan so we bought the T shirts
Down town Seam Reap - made and chaotic later on on the night.
Chaos ensued again as the hotel sent out its official Tuk Tuk to collect us at 10.30pm but this time we were fuelled by cocktails and curry. The driver obviously thought we were heavier going back as he stopped to check is tyres on the way. Paul, Mandy and Janette alighted with great grace and Steve fell out as usual.
It is worth mentioning at this point that the Cambodians are extremely friendly people - so much so that 4 times Janette has wanted to take one home...presumably hand luggage !!
Today was our first encounter with one of the most significant archaeological site on earth and we all looking forward very much to it.
After a breakfast including fruit we had never seen or heard of, we went back to our room to mix mosquito repellent with sweat from the high humidity so we were attractive to nothing on earth including ourselves.
Paul and Mandy we still abstaining from eating and there is a real concern that they would pass out from malnutrition.
The region of Angkor is a site so large that it takes at least a week to cover - we have about 2-3 days only. it represents form Hindus, heaven on earth and is a representation of Mt Meru, Mt Olympus of the Hindu faith and the abode of the ancient gods. Angkor Wat at the centre of it all is quite simply the worlds largest religious building.
The first call was to the lesser visited but probably most important Banteay Srei which, because of its fine stone engraving is rumoured to be constructed by women.
Many thousands of tons of stone were brought from the a mountain range about 40km away by canals that were dug specially for the transport and pulled by ox.
 |
| The map at the entrance to Bantreey shows where to walk and the areas where there are still mines where we probably wont walk !!! |
This is a spectacular creation from king Jayavarman VII and his inflated ego. Nearly a mile of high stone walls all engraved with scenes of life in about 1180AD. 11,000 figures carved in stone was a spectacular sight but almost impossible to photograph or even grasp. it took 27 years to build and we just walked around in an about 30 minutes or so.
Utterly breathtaking and we hovered around at sunset to capture the golden hour as the sun set leaving a golden top on this remarkable monument.
 |
| High humidity played havoc with the camera and the lenses had to be cleaned frequently |
 |
| The Bayon at sunset - peaceful and imposing |
 |
| The bridge to the entrance to the site. Many people come here at sunset for all sorts of reasons. |
At the end of all of that intense heat, humidity and walking, we fell back into our car with our driver and guide and made for our hotel.
 |
| Anantara Hotel - Siam Reap .....no guests at this time of year, just us 4 |
After an interesting drive, weaving around the traffic "Cambodian style" and a detour through the pump forecourt of the petrol station, we made it and the locally recommended Cambodian restaurant was ahead of us.
 |
| British tourist !!! (Mandy) |
 |
| "Only a small portion please" |
 |
| Downtown Siam Reap is actually very lively and probably very busy in season. |
 |
| Cant go too far wrong here for food and drink. Avoid the bucket of Mekong whiskey of course !! |
Siam Reap was historically a trendy travel location until the 1970s and it had all but disappeared under the Pol Pot regime but now it seems to be an expanding travel location for youngsters like us and backpackers.
 |
| Only high quality "dives" for us |
Chaos ensued again as the hotel sent out its official Tuk Tuk to collect us at 10.30pm but this time we were fuelled by cocktails and curry. The driver obviously thought we were heavier going back as he stopped to check is tyres on the way. Paul, Mandy and Janette alighted with great grace and Steve fell out as usual.
It is worth mentioning at this point that the Cambodians are extremely friendly people - so much so that 4 times Janette has wanted to take one home...presumably hand luggage !!
No comments:
Post a Comment