Siem Reap 2015: Prasat Taney and Wat Thmey

Initially our itinerary for the first day would be watching sunrise in Angkor Wat, visiting Prasat Bayon and romantic sunset watch at Prasat Pre Rup. However we realised that it was too much so we postponed Prasat Pre Rup to the next day. Our guide ended up bringing us to an abandoned temple called Prasat Taney (or Taney Temple).

When we reached the location (i am sorry I have no idea where it is but it's still in Angkor Thom) it was just us and nobody else. You know that feeling when you enter a forest or a jungle during your school camp?

That feeling.

He even told us to venture on our own while he stayed by the car since there would be no one disrupting our photography activities.

Contrary to Angkor Wat and Prasat Bayon, Prasat Taney was left to a point that trees grew surrounding/around it, shading the area from as much sunlight as possible.

Although it looks ruined now, I noticed a sign that mention there is a restoration plan. If I'm not mistaken the works were undertaken by the Japanese government (feel free to correct me!).

what an odd posture

kalau jatuh memang malu

I feel so small

I must admit, ruins aside, Prasat Taney is a very good place for some photography. It's quiet AND deserted. And the walls are really good for OOTDs I must say, not that I took any.

under different lightings, this tree looked silver-ish

zen

The Random Quartet first single jacket cover #wtf #lol

As a finale, we requested to go to Wat Thmey, which was on our way back to the hotel.

As we all know (or might not know), Cambodia had a terrible time under the Khmer Rouge regime during 1975-1979.

Its distorted ideology on creating a self-sufficient country which solely depend on agriculture by doing whatever that can be done, including murder is just appalling. I mean, how can you justify killing hundreds of innocent people for a more prosperous country?

Who did they think they are? Gods?

Although this memorial might not be as extensive as the ones in Phnom Penh  (i.e. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum), you can still get a glimpse of the harrowing period the country went through.

Looking at those remains in the stupa made me feel sorrowful.

We didn't stay long at the wat though. Our guide sent us back to our hotel, where we washed up and got ready for dinner after a short rest. So happened that while we were aimlessly walking out towards Pub Street for dinner, we chanced upon Genevieve's Restaurant, which according to Tripadvisor, is the numero uno restaurant in Siem Reap.

We ended up eating quite a lot of stuff that night.

appetisers and fried fish with glass noodles

I had the chicken amok

Khmer curry

fish and chips

Then we went to Pub Street (again!) just for a short walk..

Found a stall selling some Buddha statues but I didn't buy any

For the first time we actually did a fish spa because it was nearby the massage place where we dropped by and also our favourite drinking place (mentioned here!).

It was a ticklish affair. LOL.

Of course, ended the night with drinks at our favourite drinking spot! :D

Will resume with my Japan trip post after this! :P

Siem Reap 2015: Prasat Bayon

After watching sunrise and walking around Angkor Wat, our guide brought us to Prasat Bayon (or Bayon Temple), which is located in the compound of Angkor Thom.

He parked before the entrance of the Angkor Thom, allowing us to experience walking through the gate.

The bridge over the moat surrounding Angkor Thom had statues of Gods and Demons on each side, carrying something which looks like a snake. If you noticed some of the photos in my Angkor Wat post also had carvings of this.

It's actually from a Hindu mythology called the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, where these Gods and Demons worked together to churn the milk ocean by doing "tug-of-war" using Vasuki, a giant serpent, coiled around Mt. Mandala. The purpose was to obtain some sort of elixir of immortality.

the broken body of Vasuki

The opening of the entrance is actually very small, so vehicles need to be cautious when entering Angkor Thom. Not only they have to compete with other vehicles, they also need to be careful with visitors!

ok i know my face is horrible but must show haha

Short video of us walking towards the entrance:

On the other side of the entrance our guide drove to meet us and told us to observe the structure.

Elephants with riders (warriors? Gods?)! Looked like they are supporting the whole gate!

The darker parts of the statues are products of restoration efforts.

only two of us because the boys went missing haha

Then we drove further in to go Prasat Bayon which was built at the end of the 12th century.

Look at how gorgeous the structure is!

He took us aside and briefed us on the history of the temple. Which we listened half-sleepily, since we woke up at about 4.30 am earlier.

Felt bad but cannot help it lahhh. I think he could sense it but I guess he die die also had to tell us the history of this temple.

okaylah as a reward take his photo hehe

Such a beautiful background for a photo.

Video~

Just like Angkor Wat, the carvings on the walls of Prasat Bayon are just beyond amazing.

As you can see, the most fascinating thing about this temple is the many towers with faces, which I initially mistook as the Phra Phrom when I look up about Bayon on the internet.

Turns out that these faces are actually the images of the of King Jayavarman VII, the rulers after him, Gods, and etc.

One would think that the official religion of Siem Reap at that time was Buddhism; however did you know that at some points Hinduism was also practised?

Hence you can see a mixture of Buddhism and Hinduism influences in their historical sites.

Honestly speaking, I'm actually amazed by how people those days can manage to construct such detailed structures!

gawd i have an ugly butt

thanks CS!

smile for the camera!

the fallen structures

Thanks for dropping by! Next up will be on Prasat Taney and Wat Thmey, which we also visited on the same day!