Month: January 2016

Day 3: Tomb Raider

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Day 3 of our Siem Reap adventure took us to some of the less-restored gems of Angkor, including Ta Prohmーthe 800-year-old co-star of Angelina Jolie in the first Tomb Raider movie. Many of the buildings have been reclaimed by the jungle, the sprawling roots of Spung trees tearing apart the temple brick by brick.

Day 3 of our Siem Reap adventure took us to some of the less-restored gems of Angkor, including Ta Prohmーthe 800-year-old co-star of Angelina Jolie in the first Tomb Raider movie. Many of the buildings have been reclaimed by the jungle, the sprawling roots of Spung trees tearing apart the temple brick by brick.

On the highway to Beng Melea, we passed several roadside vendors selling krolan. The popular Khmer snack contains sticky rice mixed with coconut, palm sugar and soybeans. It's stuffed into a piece of bamboo stalk, sealed off with banana leaves and roasted over a hot charcoal fire. When cooked, the burnt outside of the bamboo is shaved off and it's ready to eat. Just pull out the banana leaves and peel the bamboo like a banana!
On the highway to Beng Melea, we passed several roadside vendors selling krolan. The popular Khmer snack contains sticky rice mixed with coconut, palm sugar and soybeans. It’s stuffed into a piece of bamboo stalk, sealed off with banana leaves and roasted over a hot charcoal fire. When cooked, the burnt outside of the bamboo is shaved off and it’s ready to eat. Just pull out the banana leaves and peel the bamboo like a banana!
The ruins of Beng Mealea were our favorite of the day. Largely unrestored, the temple has been both held together and taken apart by invasive parasitic trees that weave their roots through the vertical spaces between the stones. While some bricks are pushed apart by the expanding roots, others are wrapped tightly within like twine around a bundle of newspaper.
The ruins of Beng Mealea were our favorite of the day. Largely unrestored, the temple has been both held together and taken apart by invasive parasitic trees that weave their roots through the vertical spaces between the stones. While some bricks are pushed apart by the expanding roots, others are wrapped tightly within like twine around a bundle of newspaper.
The gorgeous red sandstone Banteay Srei temple was built in the 10th century at a much smaller scale than most of its contemporaries.
The gorgeous red sandstone Banteay Srei temple was built in the 10th century at a much smaller scale than most of its contemporaries.
Banteay Srei translates to "Citadel of Beauty" or "Citadel of the Women," a name inspired by the intricate carvings in the sandstone. Although small, Banteay Srei was one of the most decorated temples we saw all day.
Banteay Srei translates to “Citadel of Beauty” or “Citadel of the Women,” a name inspired by the intricate carvings in the sandstone. Although small, Banteay Srei was one of the most decorated temples we saw all day.
Our guide Chatra climbs a makeshift ladder attached to a palm tree to show how the locals harvest the coconuts.
Our guide Chanra climbs a makeshift ladder attached to a palm tree to show how the locals harvest the coconuts.
Many homes in the Cambodia countryside are built on high stilts to keep them above water during the country's long rainy season. Agriculture, specifically rice production, makes up 90 percent of Cambodia's GDP and the flooding is a crucial part of the growing process.
Many homes in the Cambodia countryside are built on high stilts to keep them above water during the country’s long rainy season. Agriculture, specifically rice production, makes up 90 percent of Cambodia’s GDP and the flooding is a crucial part of the growing process.
The kids of Ta Prohm employees have the world's most awesome playground!
The kids of Ta Prohm employees have the world’s most awesome playground!
The massive Spung trees enveloping the temples at Ta Prohm have been left intact despite major renovation efforts lead by India since 2013.
The massive Spung trees enveloping the temples at Ta Prohm have been left intact despite major renovation efforts lead by India since 2013.
Tourists climb the steep steps at Pre Rup, largely intact thanks to some advanced construction techniques. The temple was built in the early 10th century during the reign of King Rajendravarman as a funerary for local people. The burning pit and a basin for washing the ashes can still be found on the grounds.
Tourists climb the steep steps at Pre Rup, largely intact thanks to some advanced construction techniques. The temple was built in the early 10th century during the reign of King Rajendravarman as a funerary for local people. The burning pit and a basin for washing the ashes can still be found on the grounds.
The amazing sunset from the top of Pre Rup.
The amazing sunset from the top of Pre Rup.

More Photo of the Day posts from our December 2015-January 2016 trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 2: Angkor Wat

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We woke up at 4:15 a.m. on New Year’s morning to see the first sunrise of 2016 at Angkor Wat. Our guide set us up on the banks of the north lake to perfectly capture the sun as it crested behind the temple’s five towers. A large crowd of at least a few hundred turned out for the early morning photo session.

The world’s largest religious monument, Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century as a Hindu temple. Today, it’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage property has lead to a multinational effort to restore the temple to its former glory. More than 2 million people now visit Angkor Wat every year.

Two monks in bright orange robes walk along the edge of the north pond. Viktoria captured this perfect picture from inside the temple itself.
Two monks in bright orange robes walk along the edge of the north pond. Viktoria captured this perfect picture from inside the temple itself.
A view of the crowds coming into Angkor Wat via the main walkway. While most Khmer temples face east, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west. A popular theory is that it was meant to serve a funerary function, although the real reason is widely disputed by archeologists.
A view of the crowds coming into Angkor Wat via the main walkway. While most Khmer temples face east, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west. A popular theory is that it was meant to serve a funerary function, although the real reason is widely disputed by archeologists.
The southern gate of Angkor Thom features a prominent smiling Buddha face. The last capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom is perhaps most famous as one of the settings of Angelina Jolie's "Tomb Raider" movie.
The southern gate of Angkor Thom features a prominent smiling Buddha face. The last capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom is perhaps most famous as one of the settings of Angelina Jolie’s “Tomb Raider” movie.
Bayon stands at the exact center of Angkor Thom. More than 200 giant smiling stone faces adorn the temple's 37 remaining towers.
Bayon stands at the exact center of Angkor Thom. More than 200 giant smiling stone faces adorn the temple’s 37 remaining towers.

More Photo of the Day posts from our December 2015-January 2016 trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia