Glimpses of Angkor

It seems somewhat pointless to try to put into words or pictures the experience of visiting the temples of Angkor as either can only be a faint and partial reflection. Still here are some pictures of details and scenes that caught my eye, as little bits and pieces of the monumental Angkor puzzle.

Sunrise in the Bayon.



Everywhere, every direction, you see the faces and the faces watch you. I actually ended up "seeing" the Bayon faces elsewhere, in rocks, tree trunks or clouds, like their shape had been engraved in my mind!



More sunrise/set. No need to present the profile on the first picture.



Light and shadow playing in the ruins.

Somewhere inside the maze of Preah Khan.

The bas-reliefs gallery in Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat. 2nd floor. Maybe. But definitely Angkor Wat. And two monks.

The greenish light of Ta Prohm.

Cos it's not all grey in the ruins...

One of the entrances to the Bayon.

In the entrance of Angkor Wat. Did Buddha have 8 arms? He must have been Vishnu in a previous life. Litterally.



And definitely no grey in the jewel that is pink sandstone Banteay Srei.

Carvings and other exquisite details (or how to skirt on the technical terms).


I can never resist a drummer... even in carving!

Old sage resisting the passing of time. For how long still? I guess that's what i love about ruins, the reminder that even stones don't escape the inexorable time.

Detail of the heaven and hell part of the bas-reliefs in Angkor Wat.




Angkor's ladies, full of grace and beauty.

Nature's embrace. Delicate...

... or mighty.


Trunks like lava or walls, that's gotta be Ta Prohm.

Kids nestled in Ta Som.

A favourite, quiet little Ta Nei lost in the woods.

With a visitor.