Koh Ker is an awesome temple - there is very little, if any carvings left, but the temple itself is completely different to any other. It is of pyramid shape and similar to Mayan temples. It is also older than any of the others. It's a truly awesome place...
On the way in there are several smaller temples in the complex, most in disrepair and some held up with wooden structures....
“ Anybody can be an explorer if they want to be. You can be an astronaut if you want. Figure out what you want to do, and then go do it." – Helen Thayer
Once we admired the temple from the top we got the chance to climb to the top...
The views of the jungle and the mountains around Phnom Kulen were stunning...
"The rainforest has an intense beauty that at times seems almost suffocating. The jungle is one twig short of impenetrable, and the greenery seems to crowd in on you with a sensation that has been described as akin to snow blindness." - Mark Barrowcliffe
Soon we climbed down and were on our way out...
Nautre had some impressive displays of her own in this area....
After we found our (now drunk) guide and driver we took a short bus ride to some small temples in the area famed for their reverence to fertility...
Each temple had a linga statue still in tact (above) on a large stand (below).
Some of these little temples had beautiful carvings still in tact too.
"Just as our ancient ancestors drew animals on cave walls and carved animals from wood and bone, we decorate our homes with animal prints and motifs, give our children stuffed animals to clutch, cartoon animals to watch, animal stories to read." - Diane Ackerman
We then headed on to the 'black lady' or 'black sister', a temple so badly burned that the walls outside are still black now.
This is the temple where our now drunk guide disrespectfully went for a pee around the back.
[See Part I for the full story]
On the way in there are several smaller temples in the complex, most in disrepair and some held up with wooden structures....
“In all these sights I achieve solace only in bringing forth trees, picturing them blooming like smoke from the roofs of gutted buildings, dreaming of what a fine and picturesque pile of rubble this city will someday make.”― Tod Wodicka
Some of these smaller temples are made of smaller clay fired bricks, almost like Victorian bricks.
Two adventurers...
"Oh darling, lets be adventurers" - Anon
"We must take adventures in order to know where we truly belong" - Anon
No matter how tumble down these temples are they remain impressive, and I always feel like an explorer discovering an archaeological find.
“ Anybody can be an explorer if they want to be. You can be an astronaut if you want. Figure out what you want to do, and then go do it." – Helen Thayer
I love seeing the ancient inscriptions on the temple walls and imagining people carving them centuries ago...
As we came through the smaller temples and down the tree lined path Koh Ker came into sight...
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. - Hilary Cooper
Love how all the walk ways at the temples are constructed with tree rooks and temple bits sticking out! - Around nature / history.
At the top was the central linga (which is no longer there) but the hole underneath it is and is cordoned off for safety.
The only carvings left on the whole temple are on the top.
"The rainforest has an intense beauty that at times seems almost suffocating. The jungle is one twig short of impenetrable, and the greenery seems to crowd in on you with a sensation that has been described as akin to snow blindness." - Mark Barrowcliffe
On the way out I checked out the small baray to the edge of Koh Ker, such a pretty, peaceful little spot.
"Letting go helps us to to live in a more peaceful state of mind and helps restore our balance. It allows others to be responsible for themselves and for us to take our hands off situations that do not belong to us. This frees us from unnecessary stress." - Melody Beattie
"Letting go helps us to to live in a more peaceful state of mind and helps restore our balance. It allows others to be responsible for themselves and for us to take our hands off situations that do not belong to us. This frees us from unnecessary stress." - Melody Beattie
We headed across the 'road' from Koh Ker to check out some other small temples and lingas.
What is left of a linga statue.
A swirly stone carving - no idea of its significance!
Even this small temple was pretty impressive (despite the guides lack of enthusiasm!)
"Green is the prime colour of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises." - Pedro Calderon de la Barca
After we found our (now drunk) guide and driver we took a short bus ride to some small temples in the area famed for their reverence to fertility...
Each temple had a linga statue still in tact (above) on a large stand (below).
Some of these little temples had beautiful carvings still in tact too.
"Just as our ancient ancestors drew animals on cave walls and carved animals from wood and bone, we decorate our homes with animal prints and motifs, give our children stuffed animals to clutch, cartoon animals to watch, animal stories to read." - Diane Ackerman
This is the temple where our now drunk guide disrespectfully went for a pee around the back.
[See Part I for the full story]
Inside the black lady, a small altar.
"The earth is my altar, the sky is my dome, mind is my garden, the heart is my home and I'm always at home - yea, I'm always at Om." - Eden Ahbez
Next stop Phnom Kulen and Tonle Sap, before mum headed home....
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