Siem Reap - Ta Prohm
Trip Start
Feb 17, 2007
1
9
53
Trip End
Sep 06, 2008
Siem Reap,
Cambodia
Saturday, May 19, 2007
There are over 3,000 wats in Cambodia today. And over 300 around Siem Reap alone. My favorite is Ta Prohm.
In 1431, the Thais sacked the Angkor empire. The few Khmer that survived moved the capital back to Phnom Penh. The wats around Siem Reap were basically forgotten for centuries. Which left the jungle to envelop them. In the 19th century, the wats were 'rediscovered' by a French explorer, Henri Mahout. His book, "Travels in Siam, Cambodia, Laos & Annam" popularized the area again. And tourists began visiting Cambodia.
Some wats, like Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, have gone through extensive renovations. One of the exceptions is Ta Prohm. It has received minimal repairs in order to show travelers how the temples were originally found a century and a half ago.
Ta Prohm was built as a Buddhist monastery by King Jayavarman VII, the monument builder. He is credited with constructing hundreds in only a 40 year period. Ta Prohm was one of the wealthiest monasteries, with control over 3,000 villages.
Today, trees grow through buildings. Roots are causing large walls to tilt. I never get tired of looking at them. I keep wondering, "how much longer until they fall?" I tell my passengers this is one temple you have to crawl around, over, under, through, any which way you can. In the background, you can hear a chorus of parrots, crickets and other animals. The little boy inside just wants to keep exploring.
I've been told the most photographed tree in the world is inside Ta Prohm. I would have to agree. Every tour group to Ta Prohm has people jumping in front of trees and arches for photos. The cover of the "Lonely Planet" guide a few years featured one of the trees here growing over an arch.
Some travelers here experience a deja vu. Even those who just look at the pictures. Ta Prohm was featured in the movie "Tomb Raider" with Angelina Jolie. I've only seen the previews but still get flashes every time I come here. Whether its the movie or not, I get those magical, mystical feelings every time I come to Ta Prohm.
Eric
