Rooted doorway at Ta Prohm
The Angkor Archaeological Park, is huge and there are 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 popularized in the media and one of the most postcard perfect temple scenery is Ta Prohm.
Popular scene where Tomb Raider was shot
Yes, this is the ground where Angelina Jolie walked during her shoot at the first installment of the Tomb Raider movie. A lot of people were intrigued when they saw this scene. Even my officemates before said so “It’s real” they thought it was a studio or some graphics. Yes, it’s the actual setting, the difference is there’s no trap or underground tunnel to where she fought with the giant Shiva.
beheaded statues
Sad to say though that Ta Prohm is in a state of disrepair. Trees and outgrowth roots penetrated the temple walls causing them to crumble. But despite these sorry state the combination of old stones and creeping roots created a beautiful pattern among the temple walls. Also symbolizing the ephemeral existence of these great temple and kingdom at the hands of nature.
Exploring the central complex
This temple was one of the first major temple which Jayavarman VII built around mid 12th to 13th century as a Buddhist monastery. At that time, it was the wealthiest temple controlling over 3000 villages. Now it has been outrun by an overgrowth of forest. The place has only been partially cleared intentionally so visitors could have a feel on how the discoverers of Angkor Wat felt when they first stumbled upon it.
Silk cotton tree roots running along the the inner enclosure
In our exploration, we entered through the west entrance of the complex. It’s a bit of a walk upon entering the gopura towards the central complex. We were a bit in a hurry since there was a bus load of Korean Tourist behind us. They did reach us though so we just let them go first while we took our time to take the picture. The Tomb Raider scene is actually the first root outgrowth you’ll see upon entering the complex. Already there were still a few Caucasians there taking picture, the Koreans moved on. We took the left path and examined the walls of an inner complex, we didn’t enter at this time since we thought it was a restricted area due to the unstable structures and rubble. We continued on outside the wall until we reached an exit gopura. But the place was different than the one we entered and our tuktuk driver (whose probably sleeping again at that time) is not there so we headed back.
Inner temples and pathways
Good thing we headed back. I saw this accessible temple entrance and decided to enter. It was the entrance to the main inner complex where there where temple structures inside. Also, there are more impressive and scenic root outgrowths that can be found in here.
This roof might fall off
Inside the temple, there are also some wooden pathways to help you find your way safely around the area. Don’t try to venture off the cordoned area, lest you want to be buried alive under these rubbles.
those roots look so eerie…
so mysterious. toe had pictures of these, too, in her blog. but you captured them with such mystery, tingnan mo pa lang, parang me ibang dating na.. lalo na siguro pag makita mo nang personal.
hi ferdz!! wow na miss ko ang blog mo ha
syempre pa nice photos
kamangha-mangha ang mga roots super laki, wal abangmga white ladies dyan?? hehe
[...] Cambodia: Ta ProhmRooted doorway at Ta Prohm. The Angkor Archaeological Park, is huge and there are 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 … [...]
Awesome photographs, Ferdz! Really!
Can’t wait to see what you’ve got from Mindanao!
inggit mode talaga ako. siguro they don’t really repair it para mapreserve yung old look niya. wag lang sana nga bumagsak
The huge tree roots are just amazing! Nice shots.
Am kicking myself in the rear for not taking advantage when I had the opportunity to go. I was so close and yet so far…5 yrs ago when I was in the Golden Triangle area we got an invite to visit this place but I passed because of all the rebel activities at that time. Man, your photos are just awesome! I’ll definitely have to go now…
[...] the central tower which stands. Before, there were fig trees growing along the entrances much like Ta Prohm but most of it were cut down due to the danger of damaging the structures more and the passersby. [...]
Please let me know what camera did you use? Any particular season – best forbetter pictures??
How long did you stay ? Where?
I will be travelling to cambodia the coming Feb (2008).
waiting for your ideas…
c ya !
thanx
Great photos. Just did 7 days at Siem Reap etc.
Problem now, is that the temples like Ta Prohm are so popular, that shots like you have are impossible to replicate..They have wooden walkways there,and those shots that you have are priceless now.
Ta Som was a great little temple…A minature Ta Prohm and Preah Khan….. I didn’t do that much with ANGKOR WAT,as the first day when I went there for the sunset, the sky turned to grey,and the sunset photos were impossible. Went back a few days later, and it poured rain for two hours.
Thanks for that update Peter G! I hope those wooden walkways are not an eyesore.
Unfortunately, they are a bit..Your photos are much better. I was at Angkor Wat in March, and decided to return in July. Went to Banteay Srei on two occasions this trip, and while the photos were OK, I think the light was nicer when I was there in March. I used my NIKON 300mm F2.8 to good use at Banteay Srei.
I plan to post some photos on my Facebook page next week. Already have some from previous trip there if you need a look.