Angkor Wat Journals

Godless Angkor

Best of IgoUgo

A February 2004 trip to Angkor Wat by SeenThat

Angkor Wat Photo - Angkor Wat, Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Quote: A real-sized Buddhist encyclopedia of the universe, Angkor is one of the most impressive sights in Asia.

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Angkor Wat

Attraction | "Angkor Wat’s Central Temple"

Quote:

Name"Angkor" is a distortion of the Khmer word "nokor" which is derived from the Sanskrit "nagara" (capital). Wat means temple, thus Angkor Wat means the Capital's Temple. However, the temple was originally named Preah Pisnulok, after its founder - King Suryavarman II - title after his death.LocationAngkor Wat is six kilometers north of ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 18, 2009

Angkor Wat
Siem Reap
Angkor Wat, Cambodia

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Ta Prohm

Attraction

Quote:

Few attractions are so ironic, few laugh so openly at the endless line of visitors who in infinitesimal steps consume it, each one taking a few sand grains on his shoes.The irony in the iconic picture of Ta Prohm escapes most visitors; the view of giant trees slowly digesting the temples beneath them is so overwhelming that most travelers stay speechless and thoughtless. Yet, in their own fashion, the humans - acting as walking analogues to the trees - are doing just the same.The beauty is unusual. The site is the contact interface between big trees and old stone temples, so big that it cannot be wholly appreciated from nearby; within the temple all is left for the visitor to s...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 15, 2008

Ta Prohm
Siem Reap
Angkor Wat, Cambodia

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Bayon Temple

Attraction | "Bayon"

Quote:

At the very center of Angkor Thom, the distinctive Bayon is one of the few originally Mahayana Buddhist temples and the last state temple to be built in Angkor. LocationNorth of Angkor Wat and facing the east, the temple is located at Angkor Thom’s center, with broad roads connecting it to the city’s gates. Its location at the downtown area center hints at is importance.DedicationThe Bayon was built by King Jayavarman VII and dedicated to the Buddha; additional contributions by this king include Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, B...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 16, 2008

Bayon Temple
Angkor
Angkor Wat, Cambodia

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Angkor Thom

Attraction

Quote:

Downtown AngkorThe Angkor complex was immense and included areas serving various functions. At its peak, Angkor Wat was its largest and most elaborated temple, but the administration of the Khmer kingdom was not done from there but from the nearby downtown area, usually known as Angkor Thom.Jayavarman VIIBuilt in the late twelfth century by king Jayavarman VII, Angkor Thom was the last Khmer capital city in the Angkor area. At its center, the king placed the state temple, the Bayon. An inscription found in the city refers to it as a br...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 16, 2008

Angkor Thom
Siem Reap
Angkor Wat, Cambodia

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Angkor

Story/Tip

Quote:

I delayed writing an Angkor journal for a long time. Despite having visited the site in three different years, what could I possibly add to the probably millions of words already written about it?Yet, the temptation was big and after all I have a few good tips, including where to find a decent cup of coffee within the complex.Why should the visit be prepared?My first visit was done in the company of two fellow travelers I met in the way from Bang...Read More