Siem Reap, Cambodia (2013) Day 2: Part 3 - Ta Prohm Temple

Date Visited: 2nd March 2013

Angkor Wat - Checked!
Bayon Temple - Checked!

So what's next? Once we done with fulfilled our hungry tummy and quick nap (see enjoyable we were), our driver drove us to another Angkor's most popular temples among the visitors, the Ta Prohm Temple. When most of my friends ranked Bayon Temple as their favourite temple in Angkor Archaeological Park, I could say this temple is arguably my most favourite temple comparing the rest.

#1: East Gate - The Main Gate to Ta Prohm

#2:Pathway into the temple

It's quite sad to see largely of Ta Prohm Temple is heavily ruined due to its relative isolation but somehow, there are still certain area can be visited by the visitors. Some areas of the temple are only accessible through narrow corridors, hence it is advisable to wear suitable shoe and follow the landmarks and route indicated to avoid getting lost.

#3:

#4: Root of Banyan Tree growing on the Ta Prohm Temple

It seems like Ta Prohm Temple is like swallowed by huge living jungle. One thing that we couldn't keep our eyes from was the huge and strong Banyan Tree growing on the Ta Prohm temple. As this temple is recognized for its appearance as one of the shooting location of Tom Raider film which played by Angelina Jolie, today this temple is also known as Tomb Raider's Temple.

#5: Another group photo is a must. This spot is the most popular one as we waited for almost half an hour.

 

#6: Another famous spot whereby Lara Croft played by Angelina Jolie picked a jasmine flower underneath the doorway. Ooops, we accidentally blocked it.

 

#7: Young monks

With its dynamic interaction between man-made art and nature, this atmospheric and photogenic temple is absolutely one of the Angkor Archaeological Park's temples shouldn't be missed by everyone. Absolutely fascinating and surreal!

When is the best time to visit Ta Prohm? 
From the research we came across, the best time would be in the early morning to avoid the shades of the sunlight. However due to that reason, it attracted more visitors and thus, it will be pretty crowded and hardly to get a photogenic spot of the Banyan Tree growing on the Ta Prohm Temple. To avoid the crowd, it is advisable to go during lunch time or late afternoon.

[Credit To: Sacred Destinations, Tourism of Cambodia]

Siem Reap, Cambodia (2013) Day 2: Part 2 - Angkor Thom; South Gate & Bayon Temple

NOTE: I can' believe my last entry for my Siem Reap travelogue was in October 2014, it's like five months ago. Now the momentum of blogging is back and hopefully I could blog this finish as soon as possible cause I have plenty of backlog travelogues. 

Date Visited: 2nd March 2013

Once we done with one the top list to do in Siem Reap which was watching the sunrise from Angkor Wat, we had quick breakfast which prepared by the guesthouse before moving on to the destination. They prepared the breakfast as early as 4 am before we eventually went out to from the guest house. How thoughtful they were?

#1: Simple breakfast but enough to satisfy our hungry tummy 

Not far away from the Angkor Wat, we came upon the South Gate of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom is a walled and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. One of the most well-known and greatest temple, Bayon Temple was built right in the center of the city. There are five gates to the city with four are at the cardinal points and the other one was leading to the Royal Palace area. And because each of these gate is crowned with four giant faces, sometimes I was confused which gate was standing in front of me. Among all the gates, the South Gate is often the first stop on a tour before entering the Angkor Thom. No wonder it was pretty crowded when we were there.

#2: A long causeway leading to each entry tower is flanked by a row of 54 stone figures on each side – demons on the right and gods on the left-to make a total of 108 mythical beings guarding the city of Angkor Thom - Source 

#3: South Gate Tower crowned with four giant faces

#4: Elephants passing through the South Gate tower

Bayon Temple is another iconic and richly decorated Khmer temple in Cambodia, besides Angkor Wat. Honestly to say, I can see that my friends were more impressed with the design of this temple comparing to the latter one. By looking at their impression, I could see that they were completely blew away with the architecture.

#5: Bayon Temple, standing gracefully right in the center city of Angkor Thom 

Can't deny that the most unique feature of Bayon Temple is the incredibly huge and massive stone faces of Buddha on the countless towers. Hence, it is known as Face Temple as well. Similar to the five gates tower, each of the tower of Bayon temple is sculptured with four giant faces - the remarkable architecture.

#6: A group photo is a must before we officially went and venture the temple 

#8: The iconic four giant faces of Buddha [Photo credit to kming]

Bayon Temple is not the only temple within Angkor Thom. There are quite number of temples but if you are in rush, you might just skip them apparently.

#9: Phimeanakas Temple 

#10: The view from the top of Phimeanakas Temple

#11

After spending more than 6 hours visited those amazing and incredible temples, we informed our driver to drive back to our guest house for lunch break for continue to the next pitstop.

#12: It was amazingly scrumptious - just like my mom's cooking! Price wise, they were kinda affordable - ranging US$2-3

To be continued...

DINTAGE handycraft

Something personal...

Because I'm not going anywhere within this nearer period, I did something which I'm passion about currently - making handmade greeting cards. 

 #1: Sesame Street Inspired Birthday Card 

Oh well! It's not like out of the middle of nowhere I'm currently addicted to those crafts and arts activities but it's actually been quite a while I did these crafty things since I was in secondary school. I used to make and sell handmade cards and bookmarks back in school then to earn extra money as both of my parents didn't allow me to work part-time in a fast food chain restaurants. Plus, getting those materials, tools and items of making those crafty things during that particular moment was relatively cheap and convenient to start a lil small business comparing the rest, right? 

But then, I stopped doing all these right after I went into college in Kuala Lumpur as I didn't bring along all those crafty stuffs with me, not until recently the sudden come-back feeling of making these handicraft cards making me more so addicted to it that I can sit down and create at least two different designs every single night and sometimes, I could eventually made until 1 or 2 in the morning.

#2: DINTAGE handycraft logo 

Just like any garments, shoes, handbags and so on, I did label my handicraft stuffs too and previously it was labelled under the name of DT Paper Art but soon I realised it was so boring and dull with the DT here, DT there and therefore, I came out with another new label, DINTAGE handycraft. It was actually derived from the word "VINTAGE" but I changed to D and what does DINTAGE stands for actually? Honestly to say, I have no idea of that as long I could still retain the letter of D and T, my notable initial.

Here are some of my creation which I did for the last two months and of course, if anyone of you are interested of buying them, just drop me an email at dtdianateo@gmail.com.

#3: My first attempt of making handmade Christmas cards and when I showed them to my brother, he asked why I bought a lot. 

#4: Handmade Birthday Cards Version 2.0

Made these before went for 18 hours road trip to Brunei and Miri last month so that I could give to my friend

 #5: Handmade Birthday Cards Version 3.0

 #6: Oh Mickey,
You're so fine, you're so fine, you blow my mind,
Hey Mickey, hey Mickey! 

#7: My latest creation - Handmade CNY cards

It's my first attempt and initially I thought it will be very hard to design one but who knows, I came out with not one or two but three different designs. I even told my mom not to buy any CNY cards anymore next year for my grandparents and relatives as I can make for her.

#8: My handicraft tools and equipments - Some I have keep for more than 10 years especially the craft punches 

#9: My shopping hauls - Crafts and stationery

Most of the times I got my stuff from Daiso, Kaison and stationery shops

And that's explain a lot why I don't update any of my travelogues lately. But no worries, as I will update my blog once my addiction is over which I'm not sure when will that be anyway. 

Follow me on Twitter | Instagram | Dayre | for more update of my latest creation 

on these crafty stuffs! #handicrafts #crafts #diy #handmade #cards #dintagehandycraft