Cambodia – Places I've Been, Beauty I've Seen

The largest pre-industrial city in the world sits in the deep-green fields of Cambodia. Known as Angkor, the ancient city, and capital of the Khmer Empire is composed of hundreds of temples.

I began my trip in Siem Reap from where I have warm memories, not exactly for the steamy weather, but for the caring, and wise people. Their thoughtfulness made my visit safer, easier, and more interesting, for which I’ll be always thankful.

Colossus root, ruins of Ta Prohm Temple, Cambodia

Colossus root, ruins of Ta Prohm Temple, Cambodia
Jungle engulfed abandoned structures of Ta Prohm Temple, discovered in 1947

Jungle engulfed abandoned structures of Ta Prohm Temple, discovered in 1947
Silk-cotton and fig trees grew through the temple, which was built entirely without mortar

Silk-cotton and fig trees grew through the temple, which was built entirely without mortar
Ta Prohm (used in the Tomb Raider movie) held the tomb the king built for his mother

Ta Prohm (used in the Tomb Raider movie) held the tomb the king built for his mother
Archaeologists work hard to ensure the giant tree roots don’t deteriorate further the structures, Ta Prohm

Archaeologists work hard to ensure the giant tree roots don’t deteriorate further the structures, Ta Prohm
Energy is quite strong, still peaceful and inspiring, Ta Prohm

Energy is quite strong, still peaceful and inspiring, Ta Prohm
What a cotton seed can become with light, water, and time, Angkor Thom

What a cotton seed can become with light, water, and time, Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom Temple complex, morning temperature was still comfortable

Angkor Thom Temple complex, morning temperature was still comfortable
Smiling faces look down from every angle, tower of Bayon Temple

Smiling faces look down from every angle, tower of Bayon Temple
A section of Angkor, a stone depiction of the universe and the cosmic world

A section of Angkor, a stone depiction of the universe and the cosmic world
Angkor Thom Temple, 54 towers decorated with two hundred smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara

Angkor Thom Temple, 54 towers decorated with two hundred smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara
South Gate of Angkor Thom, built at the peak of the Khmer empire

South Gate of Angkor Thom, built at the peak of the Khmer empire
Entrance to Angkor Wat, the group lined up to right

Entrance to Angkor Wat, the group lined up to right
The sun has just risen, back side of Angkor Wat Temple

The sun has just risen, back side of Angkor Wat Temple
Angkor Wat, the pride jewel of the Khmer Empire built in the 13th century

Angkor Wat, the pride jewel of the Khmer Empire built in the 13th century
At distance, the entry to Angkor Watt

At distance, the entry to Angkor Watt
Age, climate change and politics has taken a heavy toll on Angkor Watt

Age, climate change and politics has taken a heavy toll on Angkor Watt
Angkor Wat Temple was built on three levels representing hell, earth and heaven

Angkor Wat Temple was built on three levels representing hell, earth and heaven
Angkor Wat marks the change from Hinduism back to Buddhism during the Khmer Empire

Angkor Wat marks the change from Hinduism back to Buddhism during the Khmer Empire
Depiction of Hindu epics are all throughout the temples of Angkor Wat

Depiction of Hindu epics are all throughout the temples of Angkor Wat
Water ways of Tonle Sap Lake, ten thousand square kilometers

Water ways of Tonle Sap Lake, ten thousand square kilometers
Tonle Sap Lake, about three million inhabit its banks, 90% earn a living by catching fish

Tonle Sap Lake, about three million inhabit its banks, 90% earn a living by catching fish
Homes near Tonle Sap Lake, built on stilts to manage the monsoon season (June-Oct)

Homes near Tonle Sap Lake, built on stilts to manage the monsoon season (June-Oct)
Water instead of a backyard, children playing a couple steps from their home, Siem Reap

Water instead of a backyard, children playing a couple steps from their home, Siem Reap
A Bodhisattva, believed to be “a human able to reach nirvana but choose to wait to save other suffering beings”

A Bodhisattva, believed to be “a human able to reach nirvana but choose to wait to save other suffering beings”
Structural conditions vary according to the proximity to water, Angkor Wat.

Structural conditions vary according to the proximity to water, Angkor Wat.
Steel beams help restoration of Ta Prohm Temple

Steel beams help restoration of Ta Prohm Temple
Manual process to avoid damage while reinforce structures of Ta Prohm Temple

Manual process to avoid damage while reinforce structures of Ta Prohm Temple
The size of Tonle Sap Lake varies according to the monsoon and dry seasons.

The size of Tonle Sap Lake varies according to the monsoon and dry seasons.
Eight arms statue represents Vishnu the supreme god in Hindu tradition. Angkor Wat

Eight arms statue represents Vishnu the supreme god in Hindu tradition. Angkor Wat
Some structures of Angkor Wat held well despite the years under vegetation

Some structures of Angkor Wat held well despite the years under vegetation
Water management led Angkor to greatness but it was also water that contributed to its destruction

Water management led Angkor to greatness but it was also water that contributed to its destruction
View while having lunch the day we arrived in Siem Reap

View while having lunch the day we arrived in Siem Reap
“Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953,” proudly said our guide

“Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953,” proudly said our guide
Mall where the national museum is located, Siem Reap

Mall where the national museum is located, Siem Reap
National Museum, completed in 2007 contains most of the artefacts from Angkor Wat

National Museum, completed in 2007 contains most of the artefacts from Angkor Wat
Siem Reap, Cambodia’s tourism industry.

Siem Reap, Cambodia’s tourism industry.
Mix of traditional and modern style structures, Siem Reap

Mix of traditional and modern style structures, Siem Reap
Cremation Urn, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cremation Urn, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Worshippers, Angkor Wat

Worshippers, Angkor Wat
Tempted by an elephant ride, decided to walk to have hands free to use the camera

Tempted by an elephant ride, decided to walk to have hands free to use the camera
A short break from selling treats to tourists, perhaps his daily job

A short break from selling treats to tourists, perhaps his daily job
Mai, window in Angkor Thom

Mai, window in Angkor Thom
Green, last image of Cambodia, flight departing from Siem Reap, 2012

Green, last image of Cambodia, flight departing from Siem Reap, 2012