Good morning, Day 2! :)

Today, we will be exploring the Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom complex all day.

Due to the vastness and grandeur of this site,

it would take at least 3 days to see everything.

As we are on a one-day trip, we will visit the most important landmarks.

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When entering Angkor Thom with a tour or van,

you will be dropped off at the south entrance gate, where the sculptures and carvings are still well-preserved.

We will walk across the Naga Bridge, which is approximately 100 meters long.

We will then pass through the city gate to continue our exploration of the Angkor Thom palace complex.

The stone carvings on one side of the bridge depict angels pulling a naga.

On the other side, there is a demon that is five times the size of a real person.

It is noteworthy that the faces of the sculptures on both sides have a hidden smile.

Three-peaked gable with the four-faced Brahma image

The atmosphere of the river while walking across the Naga Bridge

The other gate after entering the Angkor Thom area

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The first temple we encounter after passing through the Angkor Thom gate is

"Bayon Temple"

The temple of the smiling faces

Built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII,

it is considered the center and highlight of Angkor Thom tourism.

Banteay Srei is the only temple that does not have a surrounding wall.

It has been observed that this may be due to the fact that Banteay Srei is already located within the walls of Angkor Thom.

Therefore, there was no need to build another layer of walls around it.

The iconic image of Bayon Temple, recognized worldwide, is the monumental stone carvings of the "Faces of Avalokitesvara" on all four sides of the temple's towers, numbering hundreds of depictions.

East Entrance Gate

Pay homage to the Buddha statue for good luck before entering the castle.

Carved painting on the pillar, depicting an Apsara.

Many people often misunderstand, thinking that Angkor Thom is the name of the temple.

In fact, Angkor Thom is the name of the city.

And Bayon Temple is one of the temples in Angkor Thom.

The most beautiful Bayon smile is a must-see.

To find the most beautiful Bayon smile,

simply walk around and look for a Bayon face with a small rope fence around it.

That's it, the most beautiful smile.

Bayon smile

One of the immortal smiles that has been with the world for 800 years

As I wandered through the castle, I couldn't help but feel as if I was being watched. Everywhere I turned, I was met with the enigmatic Bayon smile, a symbol of compassion and benevolence.

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A short walk from the Bayon Temple, we will encounter the next temple,

"Baphoun Temple"

The mystery of the reclining Buddha statue on the west side

The Prasat Bayon, another temple within the Angkor Thom complex,

stands tall with three imposing levels.

A large pyramid-shaped castle

Each level of the castle can be walked around.

Climbing each level of the castle requires caution due to its steepness.

Stone carvings depicting the epic stories of the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and scenes of daily life in ancient times.

The third floor, which is the top floor, along the curved balcony.

The pyramid-shaped stupa at the top of the castle,

which was used for religious ceremonies and beliefs at that time.

The beautiful paintings on the pillars of the gallery are still well-preserved.

Wide-angle view from the 3rd floor balcony

The high castle offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.

The castle is shrouded by trees.

Oddly enough, despite the abundance of trees, the air is stifling and there is no breeze to stir them.

This castle receives relatively few visitors due to its steep incline, which contributes to a sense of tranquility. The castle remains remarkably well-preserved.

A bridge stretches out, connecting the Prasat Pavon.

After exploring both castles, it was almost noon.

As the saying goes, "An army marches on its stomach," so we decided to grab some lunch before continuing our exploration.

Our next destination was

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"Ta Prohm Temple"

one of the iconic filming locations for the movie Tomb Raider.

At the entrance, staff checked our tickets.

Just to be sure, I checked again to make sure I hadn't lost my ticket. #phew

A popular tourist destination, the castle is a must-see for fans of Hollywood movies.

Ta Prohm is a Buddhist temple

and a royal monastery built by King Jayavarman VII

as a dedication to his mother.

The most striking feature of this castle is the massive, sprawling trees that engulf its entirety.

This caused the castle to begin to crumble.

Parts of the castle began to crumble.

The uncovered part remains intact.

The eastern entrance of the inner gopura

reveals a large Spung tree emerging above the castle.

A sacred former temple

Upon entering, the first thing that catches the eye is the massive root system of the Spong tree, which serves as a popular photo spot.

During peak hours, be prepared to queue for a chance to capture the perfect shot.

As you walk through the various points, what you will see at every point is the roots of the trees, which are gradually spreading. Most of the tree roots are from the "Sampong" tree, which we call "Sompong" in Thailand. It is a softwood that can grow in all directions.

The castle is shrouded in trees,

creating a sense of both tranquility and mystery.

It is said to be the root of the Naga serpent due to its twisted roots and tall trunk.

For those who have never been here, I highly recommend visiting soon.

The castle itself is showing signs of wear and tear due to the passage of time.

Recognizing the mystery and complexity

These massive tree roots make us feel tiny.

The castle gives the impression of a harmonious blend of ancient architecture and towering trees.

The natural beauty of the setting is unparalleled.

While some trees may appear to damage the castle, they actually provide support, ensuring its preservation for centuries to come.

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And the last castle for today, and the highlight, I must say,

"Angkor Wat"

The largest religious building in the world.

A 350-meter walkway leads directly to the temple.

The archway gate is still beautiful.

Walking through the lush green field,

it seems like a popular spot

for local pre-wedding photoshoots.

We encountered two couples getting their photos taken.

Angkor Wat Library

Let's explore the history of Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat was built during the reign of King Suryavarman II.

He built Angkor Wat as a temple and as his tomb.

Therefore, Angkor Wat faces west,

unlike other temples that face east according to tradition.

Angkor Wat is the largest and most magnificent temple complex in the world.

Its layout and composition are perfectly harmonious.

The temple itself is the pinnacle of Khmer architecture during its golden age.

It has become a symbol of Cambodia.

Angkor Wat faces west, making it a popular afternoon destination.

The afternoon sun bathes the temple in golden light, creating the perfect conditions for stunning photographs.

#PicturePerfect

Every angle captured through the lens is breathtakingly beautiful.

Looking back from the front door we entered,

the open green lawn is pleasing to the eye.

The stone walls surrounding the balcony are intricately carved with exquisite designs.

These bas-relief panels, approximately 2 meters in height, depict scenes related to Lord Vishnu and his various avatars.

Endless fascination with the intricate carvings on the winding balcony.

Looking from the curved balcony, you will see the castle itself.

Wherever you look, it is beautiful.

To access the inner castle, visitors must first obtain a queue card from the staff.

They will then need to climb a tall staircase to reach the top.

The large top spire of the prang

High relief carving of an apsara dancing

Looking west from the top,

you can see a hot air balloon in the distance.

Side view of the castle from above

Paying respects to the Buddha statue for good luck before leaving.

Before leaving the castle, I noticed a tour guide explaining this point to tourists.

If I had to guess, it would be the point where the stones of each castle are connected together.

As the evening approaches, the number of tourists increases significantly.

It is recommended to visit around 1:00 PM, when it is hot but less crowded.

You can also capture many beautiful photos. :)

Exiting the parking lot, you will find various shops selling different items.

Spend your remaining real before leaving.

It is truly an unforgettable experience to visit a place with centuries of history.

The words of Arnold Toynbee, a British historian who traveled extensively around the world, resonate deeply.

Upon seeing Angkor Wat, he famously declared, "See Angkor Wat and Die."

Similarly, Henri Mouhot, a French naturalist, wrote about Angkor Wat in his 1860 book, "Travels in Siam, Cambodia, Laos, and Annam," describing it as "an architectural marvel that no other building, past or future, can match. It could be considered a rival to the temple built by the great King Solomon..."

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Until next time, on our next trip soon! ♬｡ ♫♫~♬

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