Elephant Terrace & Leper King - Angkor Thom @ SiemReap

From Phimeanakas, we went to our final spot at Angkor Thom. This is part of the wall of the Royal Palace which is called Elephant terrace, Elephant carvings which have a height of 350m stand tall facing outwards. Not to forget there are some really beatiful carvings on the inner wall. As for the Leper King, there is a statue further up the Elephant terrace wall, it is known as the legendary Leper King who sits at the top of the wall.

Ofcourse it is nice but we were all tired, we stop and sat by the Elephant terrace and had our snacks we brought along. Opposite the Elephant terrace you could see Khleangs which are individual temple looking buildings. The purpose is unknown, we didn't went closer, we only saw it from the opposite and also on our tuk-tuk along the way.

Pics of Elephant Terrace and Leper King here.

Next stop is the one and only Angkor Wat.

Angkor Thom - Phimeanakas & The Royal Palace @ SiemReap

Can you just imagine how big is Angkor Thom itself? Its almost 3PM, we were walking blindly to this place and we were asking directions every now and then. We reached this pyramid shaped Hindu temple. On top of the pyramid is a tower. There is a story behind it where you can actually search on the net.

We were surrounded by kids here and we rejected all the offers for keychain, silk scarf and bamboo whistle. We climbed up the temple, steps are small, slippery and steep. There is a warning sign but we can't be bothered as we are too adventurous.

Pics of Phimeanakas here.

I first thought it was "female nakas" when i heard people talking about it, flipping through the guidebook only I notice i was wrong all the time.

Angkor Thom - Baphoun @ SiemReap

We head to Baphoun after Bayon, Baphoun is build in the 11th century. There is a few tiers which part of the building was closed due to the reconstruction. We went around the whole Baphoun compound. It is special in a way because this temple is originally a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, however later on in the 15th century it was converted to a Buddhist temple.

This place is badly damaged, however the general shape and designs are still visible. I hope the restoration work doesn't spoil the original carvings and ambience.

-we kept walking-

Baphoun here.

Angkor Thom - Bayon @ SiemReap

Angkor Thom which is the biggest, last and most enduring capital city of Khmer empire. We entered via the victory gate and from the gate you could see statues on both sides, on the left is the Devas and Asuras on the right. They were holding on Naga's body. There is myth behind this called "Churning of the Sea of Milk". After entering the gate we went to Bayon which is in the middle of Angkor Thom. This is Jayavarman's state temple. Its huge and the steps are steep. We were all amazed by the rock carving which were so detail. We climb all over to snap pictures and to check out the place from all angles and height.

Looking at these remainings of stone monuments made us imagine the past grandeur of this great capital and the considerable population who lived within the enclosure of Angkor Thom. Its not just big and tall, its extremly huge and sky high. Everytime I lay my hands on those rocks I could imagine the effort and determination to build it perfectly.

All in all, we were all too excited and packed with joy, overwhelming joy!

Pics of Bayon can be found here.