temples - Cambodia - Angkor Wat - Phnom Penh - Banteay Srey - Royal Palace - Thailand - Banteay Samre - Buddhism - Ta Prohm - nature - trees - Myanmar - Battambang - village - Banteay Kdei -
40 Pictures
18 Pictures
18 Pictures
27 Pictures
36 Pictures
The view from atop one of Bagan's many temples at sunset. Read more about our visit to Myanmar.
Located about 35 kilometers from Siem Reap, Banteay Srey is a small, older temple (10th century) known for its beautiful and intricate carvings. The temple pinkish sandstone, lends it a warm tone in the early morning light. Read more about Banteay Srey Temple.
Peaceful prayers outside a temple in the Royal Palace complex in Phnom Penh. Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The steeper the climb, the greater the views of the terraces landscape surrounding Angkor Wat.Note: the treacherous steps at the side entrance to Angkor Wat are much easier to walk up than to walk down. Isn't this always the case? In either direction, tread carefully.Read about our first impressions at the Temples of Angkor.
This little guy was playing with a bush near the entrance to Banteay Kdei. His mother was having her breakfast not too far away. He was so calm and peaceful and moved slowly, sampling the ground with his hands to satisfy his curiosity.Read about our first impressions at the Temples of Angkor.
Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Royal Palace Compound - Phnom Penh
We were amazed at how well-kept and visually appealing the grounds were at Phnom Penh's Royal PalaceVarious plants, flowers, stupas, temples, and statues combined to create a colorful and peaceful environment.Read more about Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
We found our tuk-tuk driver having breakfast with other drivers when we exited the temples at Banteay Srey. He invited us to join him and he introduced us to a fantastic morning soup. It consisted of a subtle yellow curry fish broth with fresh rice noodles, paper-thin chopped banana blossom, cucumber, and cabbage and topped off with a spoonful of dark sweet soup. A bowl of bitter herbs and long beans was passed around the table as the final touch.Read about our morning visit to Banteay Srey.
Audrey sizes up the view outside Banteay Samre.Read more about Banteay Srey Temple.
Trees grow high on the stones of Ta Prohm temple. The roots grow down towards the grown, almost suffocating and crushing the stone structure underneath. Most of the temples at Angor Wat have been cleared of trees and plants. Ta Prohm has been left as it was found 150 years ago with nature taking the land back.
A monk looks out over Bayon temple ruins from a smaller active temple across the road.Read about our first impressions at the Temples of Angkor.
We were overwhelmed by tourists at Banteay Srey. Since it's rather small compared to other temples in the Angkor network, the tourist effect is magnified. Although we enjoyed our time there and admired its engravings, we spent most of our time trying to get out of the way of shutter-happy tourists. By the time we left, we were taking photos of them.Read more about Banteay Srey Temple.
Temple or Duty Free?
Although the bigger temples in the Royal Palace have all the gilt and shine, we enjoyed the small temples where local people were praying and making offerings for Chinese New Year. A cow at the altar was something new for us.
A musical group made up of land mine victims plays traditional Cambodian music along the path to Banteay Kdei temple. The music was quite good and it was impressive to see the guy play the dulcimer type instrument without a full hand.Read about our first impressions at the Temples of Angkor.
Stupas and Flowers - Royal Palace, Phnom Penh
The monk on the right approached us and asked about everything from George W. Bush to Iraq to children to religion. He seemed really happy to practice his English and have an opportunity to speak with someone from abroad. Like many others in the region, he had spent 13 years in a refugee camp in Thailand. He became a monk when he returned to Cambodia.Read more about our day on a motorbike around Battambang, Cambodia.
The play of morning light on Banteay Samre's carved columns made it an ideal candidate for a sepia shot.Read more about Banteay Srey Temple.
A Tower of Banteay Srey
Trees grow high on the stones of Ta Prohm temple. The roots grow down towards the grown, almost suffocating and crushing the stone structure underneath. Most of the temples at Angor Wat have been cleared of trees and plants. Ta Prohm has been left as it was found 150 years ago with nature taking the land back.
The proud face of an Apsara Dancer at Ta Som temples.
Male and Female Engravings at Banteay Samre
Spirit houses decorate the grounds of the temple.
