0920hrs: We proceeded onwards after passing through the South Gate of Angkor Thom. After a quick toilet break, which is FREE for tourist (yahyy!!!), our first stop is the Leper King Terrace.
Here this is the terrace:
Notice the engravings and sculptures all around the structure. The history of the Leper King Terrace remains a mystery to this date. One theory is that name comes from the statue right at the top of the terrace represents King Yasovarman, who died from leprosy. Another theory is that the status represents Yama, the god of death! And the rows and rows of sculptures represents the Apsaras, Nagas, geniuses, monsters, sea creatures etc.
There is a little maze within the terrace whereby the whole length consists of rows of sculptures.
We left the terrace and track across the field towards our next location. Behind us, you can see rows and rows of stones that are waiting to be assembled back to the orginal structure. But wait..... what is Sotong doing croaching under that tree?
Okay.... Sotong is admiring the tall tree...... what tall tree? THIS tall tree.... and now we know why Sotong was croaching over the floor.....
.... it must have intrigue the rest... coz... one by one... they came.... they saw..... they were SNAPPED!!! Okay... everybody got so excited we forgot about the tree.....
Okay... enough of all this tomfoolery, let us move on towards the Royal Palace. But first, we approach the gate leading to it. Somehow, this gate has a modern feel to it.... I just can't put a finger to it... but... (check out the clue at the bottom hee hee)
Anyway, most of the buildings were constructed using sandstones. In those time, the common people were not allowed to use bricks or stones to construct their houses, it was reserve solely for the King and temples. Having said that, not all the royal buildings were constructed in stones. Some were built using wood, but those structures did not survive to this day.
Another two lovely photos taken at the gate.
1015hrs: Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you the King's personal Temple within the Royal Palace: Phimeanakas
Like the rest of the structures, this temple has steep and narrow staircases on all four cardinal directions. Brokie and Lily managed to climb to the top.....
Vincent made a little side excursion to take some shots of a local model. She was in a very cooperative mood and here are some of the nice shots taken by him.
No comments:
Post a Comment