Ta Prohm, Siem Reap

A very early start just after 5.00am as we left to catch a plane to Siem Reap in Cambodia.  Once there our guide took us to the Artisans Angkor workshop where we watched various young people being trained in specific crafts.  They choose local people with the skill to learn and have a higher intake of people with disabilities than usual.  They work to a very high standard and their crafts are for sale at various outlets including the airports.  We watched sandstone and soft stone being carved, copper engraving that is then silver plated, pottery using porcelain and moulds, silver jewellery and gems stones, painting on silk, lacquer ware and weaving of silk.  We did buy a couple of items from here.  We then checked into the hotel and had lunch.

Late afternoon we met up again with our guide who took us for our first visit into the Angkor temples  area.   We stopped at Prasat Kravan (early 10th century) where some Buddhist Monks were taking part in a ceremony.  Some parts of the building have been restored and we were struck by the intricate carvings of Vishnu.  We then passed through to Prasat Banteay Kdei (mid 12th to early 13th century) where worship still takes place today with a buddha and shrine present.  Various decorations adorn the pillars and walls and in the Hall of the Dancers the pillars all have beautiful friezes of dancers on them. We also visited a very large lake Srah Srang where the king and monks could bathe with carved lions and steps into the water.  Next we briefly walked into part of Ta Prohm (late 12th century) which has been left in the natural state rather than being restored due to the rather wonderful silk-cotton trees that have grown through the structure.  As to was getting close to sunset we returned to the lake to watch the sunset.  

One interesting sound when we first arrived was the noise the local cicadas make, it sounds like an alarm or rather a bell alarm.  They are known as bell cicadas.  There were yellow butterflies flitting around everywhere.

I have included a phot of ourselves by the tree to show its large proportions.  What an amazing place such delicate carvings on walls, pillars, lintels in fact everywhere.  Carvings of lotus flowers, dancing girls, nagas and buddha.