Archive for the ‘Travelogue’ Category

Bicycling in Siem Reap

Friday, February 8th, 2008

Bicycling in Siem Reap
‘Buy a pineapple, sir,’ the old lady spoke to me in her fluent English and in a very friendly manner when I was biking from Angkor Wat to Baphuon one afternoon

Well, I was also requested to show my ticket by the Apsara Authority every time I stepped my foot on the entrance to visit the temples.

Biking in Siem Reap
I spent one US dollar to rent the bike for a day-long ride

With a lightweight backpack that contained a film SLR camera, a bottle of water, a lunch pack, a Lonely Planet Guidebook, and a blue Krama on my back I rode from Siem Reap town to some ancient temples in slow pace and serenity.

A small note about my trip to Siem Reap that describes my travel experience can be found here.

Jayavarman VII’s grand work

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008

Ancient Angkor Thom
Statues on the bridge leading to Victory Gate of Angkor Thom

Ancient Angkor Thom
Probably the great defenders of all time

Ancient Angkor Thom
Face-tower of the gateway to Angkor Thom

Ancient Angkor Thom
showing Avalokiteshvara

Ancient Angkor Thom
The gateway to Angkor Thom

Bayon for Buddha

Sunday, January 27th, 2008

Bayon temple, Angkor Thom
One of the greatest face towers of the Bayon
According to scholars, the face towers of the Bayon bears a strong resemblance to the portrait of King Jayavarman VII, located today in the Musée Guimet in Paris.

Bayon temple, Angkor Thom
The Bayon, the only temple built primarily as a Mahayana Buddhist temple dedicated to the Buddha

Bayon temple, Angkor Thom
Built in the late 12th century or early 13th century

Bayon temple, Angkor Thom
The Bayon, one of King Jayavarman VII’s grand works

Bayon temple, Angkor Thom
The ancient temple rises 43 meters above the ground