Temple Chronicles: Ta Prohm aka Tomb Raider Temple

This temple became more famous because Angelina Jolie's movie -- Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was shot here back in 2001.

Photo grabbed from MoviePics.com

One of the largest Angkor temples, Ta Prohm was built under King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. It was originally dedicated to the King's mother in the Buddhist style but later converted to the Hindu style. Many of the figures of Buddha in niches were destroyed in the process and some converted to Shiva Linga (Hindu). The temple has remained in its collapsed state, part hidden by jungle and is most famous for the interplay between the giant tree roots and the stonework. Source

The entrance gate is under renovation

The trees here are enormous!

A large part of the temple was already destroyed by the massive trees.

They had to put braces inside so it won't collapse.

I wonder if it comes alive at night..

Interesting and amusing work of nature

They already put up a staging area for photo opportunity with
the most popular spot in the entire temple.

Temple Chronicles: Angkor Thom

Considered one of the most famous Angkor temples, Bayon is renowned for its unique architectural display of giant stone carvings of faces.

The carvings of the faces in the walls are dramatic and mystical and the separate carvings within the temple are wonderfully detailed.

Armed with a sketch book and watercolor, this guy comfortably sits in one corner of the temple and draws Angkor Thom through his own perspective.

I wish I had that talent!

Temple Chronicles: Ta Keo

A magnificent archaelogical feat boasting a huge five-tier pyramid with overlapping terraces, Ta Keo is known as the "mountain with golden peaks". It is unique in a way that it actually lacks the intricate external scultpures and decorations which make Khmer architecture so beautiful and distinctive, as the "decoration'" phase ceased after construction. However this allows the architectural enthusiast a closer look at its construction form -- the first temple constructed entirely of sandstone. Source

Upon seeing how steep the staircase is, I knew there's no way I would make it to the top. Aside from the fact that I was tired already, there are no handles I can hold onto while climbing and I don't want to be a burden to DB assisting me all the time.

I just went back to our tuktuk and "interviewed" our driver, Polla, about life in Cambodia.

Polla is a 34-year old ex-bellboy at our hotel, who is a tuktuk driver
in the morning and a student by night.

Temple Chronicles: Phnom Bakheng

Phnom Bakheng is known as the first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor area, and it served as the  center of the first kingdom of Angkor.

Tall trees like this surround the temple which provides
great shade from the sun.

Built on the late 9th to early 10th century, Phnom Bakheng marked the move of the Khmer empire from Roluos to Angkor. Following a terrible civil war that left the empire's capital city Hariharalaya badly damaged, King Yasorvaman I came to power in 889 AD and moved the capital city 10 miles to the northeast to start afresh. He named the new city Yasodharapura and built Bakheng as his state temple on the top of a 60 meter high hill, as a replica of the mythical Mount Meru. Source

Temple Chronicles: Baphuon & Terrace of the Elephants

The pathway that leads to Baphuon Temple

Built in the middle of the 11th century under King Udayadityavarman II and dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, it has been described by historians of the 13th century as one of the most beautiful temples of its time.

Extensive restoration is needed to bring it back to all its glory.

Back of the temple

Good thing they built a wooden staircase with handle!

I didn't climb the steeper stairs and chose to rest for a while.

A few meters away from Baphuon Temple is the Terrace of the Elephants.

Indra's three-headed elephants

During the height of Angkorian power, this place is where King Jayavarman VII watches the acrobats performing on ropes stretched between the Suor Prat towers, and his armies and wealth shown before him.

Temple Chronicles: Angkor Wat

The temple that has since become the symbol of Cambodia, Angkor Wat which means "The City that is a Temple" was built for King Suriyavarman II in the early 12th century as the capital city and his state temple.

Restoration on-going

You'll be walking across the 200 meter wide moat, a deep and wide trench usually filled with water surrounding a castle, town or fortress for protection (though it was dry when we went there) before entering the actual temple.

One of the two libraries isolated from the temple.

The "first enclosure" or the outer wall of the temple

Inside the gallery are walls of stone carvings from top to bottom.

So detailed and very well preserved

At the center of the gallery

The inner enclosure which also has walls of stone carvings and terrace that gives a perfect view of the entire complex.

From the religious perspective, a steep stairway can be interpreted as a "stairway to heaven," the realm of the gods. "From the monumental point of view," according to Angkor-scholar Maurice Glaize, "the advantage is clear - the square of the base not having to spread in surface area, the entire building rises to its zenith with a particular thrust." Source

Very steep staircase

If you're wearing shorts (above the knee length), you will not be allowed to climb, unless you've brought a sarong to cover your legs just like most European ladies I saw.  So there I was waiting for DB alongside elderly people, kids and people with fear of heights.

The view from the upper terrace

With only three hours in Angkor Wat, we still have a lot of unexplored places which hold more stories about Khmer's rich culture and history.