Actually, Cambodians could care less about Lara Croft. They don't even know who she is. But they DO know Angelina Jolie. Just say these three words, Angelina Jolie temple, and they know exactly what you mean-- Ta Prohm.
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| Photo by DB, Lumix LX3 |
Here's the same tree with me in front of it for scale:
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| Photo by Bunny Rabbit, Nikon D90 |
Temple fashion: I'm wearing a Gap T-shirt, Oleg Cassini capris, i2i sunglasses, and the best footwear for traveling? Crocs Mary Janes. Yez, they are ugly as sin, but they're feather-light, super comfortable and damn-near indestructible. And you can take a shower in them!
Ta Prohm is literally a ruin in ruins. I don't think there are other temples in this hyper-advanced state of decay. The trees are tearing the buildings apart. There was a lot of restoration work going on when we there there, but I don't see how they can possibly succeed without removing the trees.
And it's the trees that make Ta Prohm special.
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| Photo by Bunny Rabbit, Nikon D90 |
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| Photo by Bunny Rabbit, Nikon D90 |
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| Photo by Bunny Rabbit, Nikon D90 |
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| Photo by Bunny Rabbit, Nikon D90 |
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| Photo by Bunny Rabbit, Nikon D90 |
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| Photo by Bunny Rabbit, Nikon D90 |
It'd be such a pity if the buildings were just left to crumble down, because in terms of artwork and architecture, this a kick-ass temple. Just look at the details. I'm sure it was magnificent in its day.
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| Photo by DB, Lumix LX3 |
Just before we left to grab some lunch, I espied this monk:
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| Photo by DB. Lumix LX3 |
Ta Prohm is definitely a grand old lady. I'm glad that we got to visit before it changes forever.
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| Photo by Bunny Rabbit, Nikon D90 |
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