Cambodia: Ta Prohm
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.
Tags: Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia, Heritage, Siem Reap, Structures, Ta Prohm, Temples, UNESCO
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Tuesday, June 5th, 2007 at 9:30 pm 
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June 5th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
lam nyo po fascinated ako sa mga rooted tree.. ung tipong puro roots lang.
may mystery na dala… may kwento ang dating ng mga puno na ganun..
June 6th, 2007 at 12:01 am
the photos are kinda creeping me out. scared ako sa mga ganyan eh…. but the shots are great. captured ang beauty ng lugar….
great blog!
June 6th, 2007 at 12:51 am
What an amazing place! Awesome images! Picture one and two are breathtaking!
June 6th, 2007 at 3:04 am
That is so cool.
I knew the place was real but It looks so much better in your photos.
Ancient architecture never ceases to take my breath away
So did you see Shiva? hehehe… kidding.
June 6th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Hey, I’ve seen a picture of this at Toe’s blog, and was I amazed!
Sayang, di kayo nagkita. Anyway, I ‘m sure you had as much fun, judging from these great pics. Where’s the next destination?
June 6th, 2007 at 11:41 am
i said to myself: familiar ang place… and ibegan thinking about tomb raider… dali dali akong nag browse sa baba.. tomb raider talaga! hehe..
how nice.. specially the first picture..
June 6th, 2007 at 11:52 am
Great photos. I remember those scenes from Jolie’’s movie. What a mysterious place. Must have been a great experience to be there in person.
June 6th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
wow! Wonderful temples! Nagtataka lang ako, totoo ba talaga yang mga roots na yan? parang sobrang laki kasi halos lamunin na niya mga temples.
Akala ko rin hindi totoo yung mga settingss sa tomb raider. Astig naman.
June 6th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
nice shot… dami sigurong kapre jan noh??/ heheheh mansion nila yan
June 6th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
i agree: the disarray in these temples make them more enchanting; beautiful ruins that provide everything but a glimpse of a glorious past; nature overwhelming the artificial, reminding us that no matter how great we are, we will always be weaker and smaller than the power that created us.
June 6th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
katakot naman ng mga puno. naalala ko tuloy yung mga balete tree heheh…
galing ng shot
June 6th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
wow! ang galing! i wish i can see this for myself.
btw, sahm means Stay At Home Mom
June 6th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Cambodia is one place I would love to visit one of these days…come to think of it, I would love to go anywhere Lara Croft has been too!
Thanks for the visit. Ex link?
June 6th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
grabe nakaka mesmerize talga makakita ng ganyan.. sana mapuntahan ko din yang archaeological park na yan.
June 7th, 2007 at 3:37 am
Whatta shot, galing ng lugar.. Kailan kaya ako makakapunta dyan and makita din inperson? Hanga talaga ako sayo Ferdz!
June 7th, 2007 at 9:57 am
This is definitely my favorite temple. The French restorers who discovered this in the 1800s decided to keep the temple in the same state as they found it. The wonderness of the jungle creeping into the temple really gives it an eerie feeling.
On another note, Ferdz, I’m about to post my slideshow of Lupang Hinirang with your pictures ha. My boss loved your pictures. Thanks so much!!!!
June 7th, 2007 at 11:11 am
WOW!
It’s a complete WOW to me. I love the doorway, so ancient, so mysterious.
I guess I’ve got to make a trip there soon, talaga!
Nice pictures Kuya.
[:
June 7th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
The roots are kinda eerie in a way. Trees must be considered sacred too since nadyan na sila during the time of building these temples.
June 7th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
IT IS THE COOLEST…
June 8th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
[...] 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 … [...]
June 9th, 2007 at 1:01 am
those roots look so eerie…
June 9th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
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.
June 9th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
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
June 9th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
[...] 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 … [...]
June 10th, 2007 at 7:11 am
Awesome photographs, Ferdz! Really!
Can’t wait to see what you’ve got from Mindanao!
June 10th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
inggit mode talaga ako. siguro they don’t really repair it para mapreserve yung old look niya. wag lang sana nga bumagsak
June 11th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
The huge tree roots are just amazing! Nice shots.
June 16th, 2007 at 3:56 am
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…
October 8th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
[...] 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. [...]
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:17 pm
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