22-JAN-2007
Walking Home
A perfect timing capturing the monks walking away from the Wat.
22-JAN-2007
The Three Towers
From this perspective, you are able to see the three towers of the Wat. Check out the tourists visiting this place. In abundance.
23-JAN-2007
Four Faces
There are four faces at the north gate of Angkor Thom. I only manage to shoot two of the faces at this angle.
23-JAN-2007
Angkor Thom Gate Face
Angkor Thom is a gateway to many temples, and a main attraction of a visit to the Angkor temples. This was taken at the north gate of Angkor Thom.
23-JAN-2007
Carved Figurines On The Gate
I am not sure of the history behind the carvings. I suppose I could find out and write about it but it would be almost plagiarizing the entire history book! This is found at the north gate of Angkor Thom. There are several entrances to this place, mostly use the southern gate.
23-JAN-2007
Reconstruction Of The Gate
At the entrance of the north gate to Angkor Thom, you see some stilts erected for the reconstruction of the gate. It would have been a good shot but this is the best I can take or appreciate of the gate's architecture. Every carving and figurine on this gate has a meaning and a magnificent story to it.
25-JAN-2007
Dusk To Dusk
Angkor is a beautiful place to take sunset and sunrise shots. We practically chased the sun from morning till the evening. As most of you will know that it isn't easy capturing good picture unless you have a beautiful skyline. At that point of time, it didn't rain but it was very cloudy. The best sunset spots were already taken when we reached there, so we had to move around to find other suitable spots. This shot was taken at Phnom Bakheng. It's a state temple of the first city at Angkor. "Phnom" means "hill" in the Khmer language. Phnom Bakheng is a 65-metre hill a few hundred metres south of the gate to Angkor Thom. It is the only natural hill in the area. Climbing the hill after a day walking around the monuments can be a challenge, but the view from the top just before sunset is a rewarding sight. You see the sun go down over the western Baray while the five towers of Angkor Wat slowly disappear in the jungle to the east.
25-JAN-2007
A Cherry On A Cake (Almost)
I actually got a shot of the sun sitting on the tip of this tower, however the colour wasn't good. This is the closest that I think is decent enough to share.
For another sunset shot of this location,
click here
25-JAN-2007
The Framed Shot
It gets frustrating when there are too many tourists visiting the same spot and the same time for the same event ie witnessing the sunset. I tried to find a suitable spot without blocking other shooters (mind me there are some who are just plain rude who would stand right in front of you blocking your view! And couldn't give a damn about it either). I walked a step down of the temple and found a nice spot. Unfortunately as the sun started to drop, the crowd moved closer to get the shot. There was a particular tourist who stood in front of my view and I was very upset. He wouldn't budge or even move. So being typical me, I decided not to get mad over it and instead tried to take the shot in a different perspective. I am sure by now you would have figure out what sort of frame is that ie. his legs!
24-JAN-2007
Beng Mealea
Ruins were seen scattered everywhere and to get to the bottom of the temple, one needed to walk on the ruins and I definitely needed a helping hand! Though unrestored, and in a fairly ruinous state, the large temple of Beng Mealea ('Lotus Pond') some 40km due east of Angkor on the ancient royal way to the `great Preah Khan' of Kompong Svay, is one of the major monuments of the classical period, in the style of Angkor Wat and roughly contemporary with it. Beng Mealea is genuinely uncleared - the real thing for would be explorers. Indeed it was a torturous route and encounter for me. It's almost like being an actress in a action movie. Coming next, the location where Angelina Jolie shot the movie Tombs Raider - Ta Prohm.
24-JAN-2007
Beng Mealea Ruins I
More rocks and ruins to be seen. If they ever thought of restoring this temple, it would take a couple of decades to do so and lots of $$. A big concrete jigsaw puzzle and a genius to restore this baby!