15 minutes later, the rain has passed.
Departing the ancient city of Angkor, we see some Japanese friends who were at the same bus ride to Cambodia from Vietnam. They greet us with a warm hello and ask to have our photos taken with them.
Going past the carved stone lion that stands guard near the causeway, we find our way back to where this journey started. Before reaching the entry point again, I clutch the sight of the huge water reservoir and moat surrounding the temple of Angkor Wat.
The Khmer cosmology centers on Water, with its life-giving and purifying qualities, as the basic core of wealth. It is also very important in Hindu religion. The moats surrounding the temples of the ancient city epitomize a fairly convincing imitation to the big oceans that encases the earthly world. The presence of the water reservoir represents Angkor’s enduring prosperity during its time.
I still feel the remnants of rain in the air but interestingly the ground was dry again.
We are aboard Rattana’s Tuk Tuk again setting out for the next stop.
Angkor Thom
At 9 square kilometers in area, Angkor Thom was one of the largest Khmer cities ever built. The 5th gate, known as the Victory gate, leads directly to the Royal Palace. The Victory gate was built during the reign of Jayavarman VII. We cross the threshold of Angkor Thom via its eastern approach where an avenue of statues is lined. The two rows of figures seem to each carry the body of a giant serpent –or a seven-headed naga –almost depicting a tug-of-war.
Jayavarman VII founded Angkor Thom that remained a capital until the 17th centuries. During his empire, this was the center of his massive building program. One inscription found within the last enduring city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the city as his lovely bride. The first site of this monumental structure is called the S Gate, with four faced towers pointing in each of the cardinal directions.
Much to my delight, we penetrate the city walls through an elephant ride (USD 15 per person). The elephant ride was in our agenda during our trip to Thailand in February but it remained unchecked until the Cambodia trip. Riding the gentle giant alongside Bubba is a pleasant experience. The elephant takes the road first then gradually shifts to the lane of elephant tracks amid the stretched line of trees. The elephant ride takes 15 minutes of leisure occasion giving an elevated perspective of the road going to Angkor Thom.
Most of the constructions inside have a triple tower carved with four faces that apparently closely resembles the statues of Jayavarman VII. Pretty much like how our city officials decorate their governed district with their faces plastered on tarpaulins screaming “A Project of…”
With Bayon at its center, Angkor Thom serves as good appetizer for the next destination.
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A friend recommended your site to me. Glad he did, as it looks very worthwhile. Looking forward to learning lots here. Lance
hi. stumbled upon your blog from spot.ph.
anyway, i just want to say that elephants are not supposed to walk on concrete, especially not alongside any type of vehicle as they are extremely sensitive even to the smallest of vibrations. they are so sensitive that they are among the first animals in the wild to sense natural disturbances. unfortunately, their mahouts (“caretakers” in Thai) seem to be unaware of this fact. please pass this on to other travelers so they’d avoid having to stress the dear elephants, especially those that roam the streets of bangkok, begging for their mahout.