Post from Tim:
It is easy to see why the movie Tomb Raider was filmed in the Angkor Wat area. The concentration of so many excellent ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples is staggering and, despite the thousands of tourists that visit each year, the mysterious Khmer ruins still offer travelers the opportunity to feel like Indiana Jones.
I had one such Indiana Jones moment in Bayon - one of the most popular temples in the area.
We arrived before sunrise, a time when the darkness of early morning veils the massive stone monument in mystery. I walked past the famous bas-reliefs that depict historic wars and everyday life and approached the first level of stairs, which were as steep as the pyramid at Chichen Itza and worn uneven by 800 years of use and decay. They led me right into the maze-like passages and temple rooms that I had come to see. I began to feel like the first person to enter the pyramids in Egypt - a tomb raider, perhaps. In my fascination, I quickly lost Michelle and our friend John, but I didn't mind. I was grateful to experience this rare moment of solitude in such a heavily visited monument.
I ascended another flight of stairs to the third and top level, which features a large stupa surrounded by square towers depicting the face of King Jayavarman VII on all sides. In the faint light, I had to squint to see his soft features and wise smile. But with over 200 portrait carvings at the top of Bayon, his face greeted me at every turn.
Reverberating chirps from bats in the central stupa echoed from the stone walls and called me in through an eerie doorway to investigate. The smell of bat guano was a little overpowering, but I toughed it out and walked deeper into the cavern. The sweep of my flashlight across the high ceiling caused swarms of bats to flutter around inside. I watched nervously until one almost hit me in the face and I yelped like a little girl. After I finished laughing at myself, I ducked and ran through.
I found Michelle and John about the same time the other tourists arrived to spoil my fantasy, but Bayon was no less fantastic in the rising sun. The soft orange light of morning across the ancient rock stopped me in my tracks and forced me to sit in silent appreciation.
I had one such Indiana Jones moment in Bayon - one of the most popular temples in the area.
We arrived before sunrise, a time when the darkness of early morning veils the massive stone monument in mystery. I walked past the famous bas-reliefs that depict historic wars and everyday life and approached the first level of stairs, which were as steep as the pyramid at Chichen Itza and worn uneven by 800 years of use and decay. They led me right into the maze-like passages and temple rooms that I had come to see. I began to feel like the first person to enter the pyramids in Egypt - a tomb raider, perhaps. In my fascination, I quickly lost Michelle and our friend John, but I didn't mind. I was grateful to experience this rare moment of solitude in such a heavily visited monument.
I ascended another flight of stairs to the third and top level, which features a large stupa surrounded by square towers depicting the face of King Jayavarman VII on all sides. In the faint light, I had to squint to see his soft features and wise smile. But with over 200 portrait carvings at the top of Bayon, his face greeted me at every turn.
Reverberating chirps from bats in the central stupa echoed from the stone walls and called me in through an eerie doorway to investigate. The smell of bat guano was a little overpowering, but I toughed it out and walked deeper into the cavern. The sweep of my flashlight across the high ceiling caused swarms of bats to flutter around inside. I watched nervously until one almost hit me in the face and I yelped like a little girl. After I finished laughing at myself, I ducked and ran through.I found Michelle and John about the same time the other tourists arrived to spoil my fantasy, but Bayon was no less fantastic in the rising sun. The soft orange light of morning across the ancient rock stopped me in my tracks and forced me to sit in silent appreciation.
| Siem Reap street in morning: |  |
| Siem Reap Crock Farm: |  |
| A temple inside Angkor Wat: |  |
| A temple surrounded by trees: |  |
Photos From This Location
Audio Recordings From This Location
Cambodian Birds
Wild jungle noise near Angkor Wat.