More Cambodia Bayon and Ta Phrom

Brad and I at the South Gate to Bayon Temple....darn bus!!

The famous "enigmatic Bayon smile".

Tracy, Connie, Val and Brad.

Ta Phrom temple where the huge tree roots were left to illustrate how the jungle had totally engulfed the temple.

Ta Phrom temple.

You may be getting tired of posts from Cambodia..sorry! We had such an amazing time here exploring these temples from the 11th century Khmer civilization. These 2 temples were great because they were so different. Bayon was once a walled city, so has gates with massive carved stone faces and lines of soldiers leading up to it. The temple has 5 towers with faces carved on each side. They are said to represent the ruler, and allowed him to watch all sides of his kingdom at once. You can see that the faces are carved out of huge blocks of stone, and you can only wonder how the artisans fit each piece together.

Ta Phrom was featured in the "Tomb Raider" movie, and has been left to the jungle. It really helps you imagine what the early french explorers found when they first stumbled upon the ruins. Also what great efforts have gone into restoring them. Giant trees still grow throughout the temple, their roots in many cases holding the walls together.