Cambodia: Angkor Thom’s Bayon
Entering the Great City at Angkor Thom’s South Gate
We started our first day as early as 5am in the morning. Since Angkor Wat has been getting a lot of tourist lately, I thought that we should avoid the crowds as much as possible. Especially those bus loads of tourist that can easily block your composition view. In this series, I won’t be delving much on the history of each temple as there are a lot of resources in the internet which has detailed information on each temple. What I would focus on more are my favorite temples and my impressions of them. And more importantly the photos. So here we go.
My 3 day pass at the Archaeological Park
The first step into our exploration is to acquire an Admission Pass. In each temple there are security points and they are very strict on inspecting these passes. If you don’t posses one you will have to get back to the main entrance toll gate where you can acquire a pass. The price is quite hefty but I assure you it’ll be worth it, US$20 for a day pass, US$40 for a three day pass and US$60 for for days to a week’s Pass. For a three day passes or more, a photo is required. If you are acquiring a ticket at a peak hour, it’s better if you have a passport ID picture with you. Fortunately we were early and we manage to get a pass easily. I don’t have a photo so they just took a quick camera snap at the counter. Getting a pass doesn’t take more than 5 minutes in all. Don’t forget to smile.
Entering the North Hallway of Bayon
Once we got our pass, our Tuk-tuk went on rolling and off we go to see our first temple at Angkor Thom also known as the “Great City“. On the way though, we passed by Angkor Wat, although it’s tempting to see it early at that time we sped past it and headed north by the west road until we were greeted by a gopura at the South Gate. We decided to leave Angkor Wat for the moment and just build on the momentum by visiting the other minor temples first. Hell, from the South Gate itself I think we spent more than 30 minutes of photo frenzy and we haven’t got into the city yet and our driver is waiting on the other side of the wall, sleeping.
Top level Towers reaching for the sky
After pulling ourselves from the gate we rode the Tuk-tuk again for quite a distance, about 1.5 km from the gate to the heart of the city where we can find the temple of Bayon. And yey, there’s no people yet. Initially I had the idea that the temples here are walking distance from each other, I was so wrong. The whole Angkor Archaeological Park is so vast that you couldn’t cover much just by walking. Biking probably may. We ate a quick breakfast at one of the stalls there and waited for some morning light to hit the structure and off we go exploring the temple.
The Bayon temple symbolizes a mountain
Among all the structures in the park, Bayon seems to be the most enigmatic and puzzling in Angkor. The main foundation of the temple is certainly Hindu in origin which post dates Angkor Wat by a century. But during King Jayavarman VII time, he built structures on top of it representing symbols of Buddhism. There are 54 towers there with 200 serene stone faces on every side of the tower. It was believed that these stone faces represents Bodhisattva, but further research and comparison, the stone faces is closer to the image of the one who ordered its construction, King Jayavarman VII.
The image of King Javayarman VII
Don’t you think that King Jayavarman VII is one vain king to have his image carved in all sides of the temple? Hehe. Anyways, kidding aside, walking along the top level where these towers are located, you can’t help but feel an eerie omnipresence watching you from all sides which is very interesting. Aside from the stone faces, the hallways and the door entrances are adorned with designs.
Chilling out with the Monks
At the center of the top level of the temple, you’ll find a large structure which resembles a mountain which the temple was said to symbolize. I wanted to find a door or stairway up to the upper levels of the structure but I can’t seem to find one. The woman by the door, seems to be a Buddhist standing by an altar. She would constantly hail visitors to light up an incense at the altar. I don’t know if you have to pay for those incense since I didn’t try it. There are lots of these Buddhist altars spread through out the temples. Not only in Bayon but in all the temples in Angkor Archaeological Park as well.
One of the 54 towers of Bayon
In every temple you’ll usually see a lot of monks doing their rounds in the altars. Their bright red-orange robes indeed seems to stand out among the ruins and is a perfect subject to any photography. These guys also seems to be used to these kind of things. They don’t mind being photographed and won’t ask for a donation or money.
Bayon from the ground facing the East side
As the first temple we visited, Bayon was a great start. It’s not a huge temple and can be explored in less then two hours. I enjoyed walking along the grounds surrounded by these impressive stone faced towers. It literally represents the saying “I am watching you” and you could certainly feel that mighty presence here along with that monumental mountain like structures representing power and might. Among all the temples we visited, Bayon is one my faves here.
Tags: Angkor Archaeological Park, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Cambodia, Heritage, Siem Reap, Structures, Temples, UNESCO
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Wednesday, April 18th, 2007 at 12:53 am 
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April 18th, 2007 at 10:35 am
vainest king huh ? yeah two sides pa talaga ang pinagaya.
well wala naman kasing pictures noon eh.. kaya sa stone na lng..
sounds like an enchanting place… ha… lovely place with culture to visit
April 18th, 2007 at 10:53 am
@ferdz, hahaha, very funny. anyway, sana matuloy ka nga sa bohol. if you need a guide, i can refer some people you can rely on
will await ur captures. i’m sure mas magaganda un 
btw, love the captures. alam mo naman, weakness ko yang ruins. looking fwd 2 more.
April 18th, 2007 at 10:58 am
cool photos! wish i was able to visit angkor wat before i left for north america. well, i’m sure i’ll get a chance soon. ;P
April 18th, 2007 at 10:58 am
ung #23 ay swim the atlantic ocean…
hehe.
April 18th, 2007 at 11:05 am
WOW! Wow!
I love these pictures. No wonder National Geographic picked you…they’ll be fortunate to have you.
In Isreal, they have King David’s temple, (the Weeping Wall) in which a Mosque now stood. Interesting story that…if you ever go there, I’d be curious what you’re take on the city.
April 18th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
asteeeeeg! ganda ng mga kuha mo Ferdz. photos mo pa lang na-excite na ko. alam mo, natumbok mo yung eksaktong pakiramdam kaya excited akong pumunta sa Cambodia at makita ang mga temples dun: yung eerie feeling na someone is watching you. na parang buhay pa rin yung mga sinaunang Khmer na gumawa neto. i saw one magazine that featured his adventures in Angkor…mas hamak namang magaganda ang kuha mo. Tapos yung National Geographic feature nila on the mysteries of Angkor Wat, ang galing din ng mga paliwanag doon. haneps. isa pang nagpakumbinsi sa akin ng kagandahan ng lugar na ito ay yung movies ni Wong Kar Wai, yung In the Mood for Love saka yung 2046…si Tony Leung, pumunta siya ng Angkor Wat para lang ibulong ang kanyang mga pinakatatagong sikreto sa mga butas at gaps ng templo tapos pinasakan niya ng tuyong damo. Asteeg talaga.
excited ako sa mga susunod mo pang serye ng kuha.
April 18th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
its #24 na pala. i checked it again. i guess something changed..
April 18th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
wheww wala akong masabi.. you’re indeed a photojournalist… galing dre..
honga pala si master nasa pinas na di na babalik d2 sa KSA…
April 18th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Ganda ng pics dude…
April 18th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
bloghop here!
When I think about Cambodia, the first thing that comes to mind is stone! Fascinating place talaga:)
April 18th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
ang mahal pero sulit talaga! tagal ko na naghahanap ng monk na mapikturan kaso mailap sila at baka sumnggaban ako. ang ganda ng bakod, work of art talaga./
April 18th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Wow, ganda nga! And yes, King Jayavarman VII is pretty vain. Pero, I’d do the very same thing he did pag ako siya. Eheheh…
April 18th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
nice series ferdz, love the 3rd, 7th and 8th pics… grabe umpisa pa lang yan, can’t wait for the others…
April 18th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
everytime i visit this site, I’m really amazed. sobrang ganda ng pics!
April 18th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
an outstanding travelogue. i am so envious of you. you lucky dog. i enjoyed this post thoroughly.
April 18th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
wow.. nice pics, as usual
pogi pala si king javayarman hehe…
April 18th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Very smart of you to set out early before the crowds arrive. Hahaha… South Gate pa lang, nakakaloka na.
Yeah, smart of you to go to Angkor Thom first because I read that the lighting at the Angkor Wat is better in the afternoon. Though isn’t it just tempting to go to Angkor Wat straight the first time you see it?
Ibang klase ka talaga mag take ng photos Ferdz… really amazing!
April 19th, 2007 at 12:17 am
I agree with Tina. Wala pa kasing way of being remembered before like photos or portraitures kaya sa stone na lang. Parang tayo rin yan eh. I bet ang daming nating self pics sa mga phones natin.
Fantastic trip report! Good for you to be able to go and see these places while we poor mortals settle with Manila!
April 19th, 2007 at 9:00 am
huwaaw! ganda! a lovely place to visit, wish ko lang hay…
April 19th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
kala ko every hallway and entrance, may face niya kaya eerie. hehehe. so you rode a bike? at okay ang 3-day pass mo ha. hehe. at gusto ko din makakita ng monk ;p
April 19th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
This guy is not just a good prolific writer but a professional photographer as well, yet, a Globe trekker….thanks for the kind comment on my template…just changed it again…..
April 19th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
thanks for the visit and the nice comment
Can I link you up?
April 19th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
ang ganda at galing ng mga kuha mo. parang nakita ko na yang angkor wat sa isang movie dyan ang setting pero nakalimutan ko na.
April 19th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
totoong mga monks ba yun? hanap ko sa post mo di ko makita hirap talaga di makaintindi ng ingles lol!!!hahahaha yun nakit ako na … mga totoo palang tao mga yun
kala ko katulad sa singapore na mga candle images e 
April 20th, 2007 at 2:09 am
The pictures are amazing! I’ve just seen a few close up photos of Angkor Thom but yours are really good.
Did you engage in conversation with the monks? hehehe… or do they have a vow of silence?
April 20th, 2007 at 5:03 am
Wonderful, wonderful pictures, Ferdz!
“Chilling out with the monks” is worthy of submitting to any nternational photo contest like InterContinental Insight.
April 20th, 2007 at 5:12 am
Amazing photos, galing mo talaga Ferdz! Kailan kaya ako makikipag-chill out sa mga monks? hehe…
April 20th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Great site! The design is unreal, bro. Beautiful pictures. God bless your work….
mpt
April 20th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
wow! para na rin ako nakapunta ng Cambodia.. ang layo na po ng narating nyo.. hehheh..
April 20th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
uncle and untie ko, nasa Cambodia lat December. ang ganda nga daw.. no comment lang ako nun, kasi di ako sinama.. nyahhaha!
April 20th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Those monks must feel weird to be praying, chanting, etc. while tourists are walking about taking pictures or what have you.
I wonder how old these structures are. Matibay! 
April 20th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
hehehe tama nga ang hinala ko… angkor nga! sarap bigkasin talaga nyan “angkor wat?”
April 20th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Is Cambodia safe for solo trips? I am planning to go there during summer kuya. If possible na.
(:
April 20th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
hataw ka sa mga trip mo…. ibang klase
April 20th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Awesome photos!! The monk photo touched me the most though. Great composition and lighting! Oh, and I love that you went early in the morning. The overall feel is really different. Not sure what it is, basta ang ganda
April 22nd, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Nice photos Ferdz. I agree with JMom, that photo is captivating. You must be having a grand time in Cambodia.
April 22nd, 2007 at 7:12 pm
[...] Cambodia: Angkor Thom’s Bayon [...]
May 1st, 2007 at 2:29 am
one of my favorite place in cambodia……u will see the faces everywhere u walk in this temple….really cool and kinda scared…i don’t like their eyes look like they stared or watching me all the time:-P btw awesome story and photos.
May 27th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
[...] nice restaurants in Siem Reap. The above Fried Chicken is actually USD$ 3 bought at a stall near Bayon. But I was surprised on how it was presented. At first I thought they would present it like the [...]
June 5th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
[...] numerous temples around that you would need at most a week to explore most of them. But like I said before, I would only be featuring some of my favorite temples. One such temple which have also been [...]