Today we went a little further afield to the Banteay Srei, a beautifully carved Hindu temple structure dedicated to Shiva. The ornate carvings at each doorway are cut into a pinkish/brownish sandstone in order to mimic 3-dimensional wood carvings. Very well done and preserved and restored. Interestingly, unlike other temples in the Angkor Wat, the doorways actually get smaller as you approach the central towers giving the impression that the towers are larger! Terrific use of igneous rock has kept this structure standing since AD967 despite its sandy footings.
Our next stop was to Kbal Spean, a carved riverbed set deep in the jungle. Warnings indicate landmines in the non-tourist vicinity that can only mean we are near the Thai border (presently 80km)! Plenty of Hindu phallic symbols of Linga and Uni to purify the river and provide baths to improve fertility of kings and peasants alike! The waterful also seemed to be a local party place as there were a number of local teenagers bathing and running beneath it. The ornate relief carvings are undated but appear to be from the Hindu Angkor 10th to 12th centuries.
Our final tourist stop in Cambodia was at the Cambodian Mine Museum (Aki Ra’s exceptional effort to help de-mine Cambodia and provide relief for children injured or maimed by landmines. Aki Ra was a child soldier for the Khmer Rouge and at age 13 he defected to join the Vietnamese army to rid Cambodia of Khmer Rouge. During this time he was trained to lay mines and the difficult task of demining. Notable is the absence of electronic equipment nor armour-shielding as he carries out his work He has become a legend in Cambodia for his efforts and his museum reflects the 1000s of mines he has decommissioned (along with other ordinance like bombs, rifles and mortars). There is also a good display on the Ottawa Treaty (otherwise known as the Mine Ban Treaty). With the help of Canadian Aid agencies, he was able to set up a home for impoverished and injured kids in concert with the museum. Today, museum entry fees fund this effort.
We continued to take advantage of having a DVD player – the boys loved the new Star Trek movie! We are now all starting our mental shift to ending our journey and arriving home. We are getting very excited. We still have some wonderful travel ahead of us, however – the palaces of Bangkok, The Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Great Wall. The days, we know, will fly by and we’ll soon be looking back on our incredible adventure.
We’re leaving for Bangkok in the morning. We loved Cambodia with its warm, friendly people, stunning temples, and incredible Khmer dishes. Although this trip was short we will hopefully one day return to experience more of the country’s incredible beauty and hospitality.
Our next stop was to Kbal Spean, a carved riverbed set deep in the jungle. Warnings indicate landmines in the non-tourist vicinity that can only mean we are near the Thai border (presently 80km)! Plenty of Hindu phallic symbols of Linga and Uni to purify the river and provide baths to improve fertility of kings and peasants alike! The waterful also seemed to be a local party place as there were a number of local teenagers bathing and running beneath it. The ornate relief carvings are undated but appear to be from the Hindu Angkor 10th to 12th centuries.
Our final tourist stop in Cambodia was at the Cambodian Mine Museum (Aki Ra’s exceptional effort to help de-mine Cambodia and provide relief for children injured or maimed by landmines. Aki Ra was a child soldier for the Khmer Rouge and at age 13 he defected to join the Vietnamese army to rid Cambodia of Khmer Rouge. During this time he was trained to lay mines and the difficult task of demining. Notable is the absence of electronic equipment nor armour-shielding as he carries out his work He has become a legend in Cambodia for his efforts and his museum reflects the 1000s of mines he has decommissioned (along with other ordinance like bombs, rifles and mortars). There is also a good display on the Ottawa Treaty (otherwise known as the Mine Ban Treaty). With the help of Canadian Aid agencies, he was able to set up a home for impoverished and injured kids in concert with the museum. Today, museum entry fees fund this effort.
We continued to take advantage of having a DVD player – the boys loved the new Star Trek movie! We are now all starting our mental shift to ending our journey and arriving home. We are getting very excited. We still have some wonderful travel ahead of us, however – the palaces of Bangkok, The Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Great Wall. The days, we know, will fly by and we’ll soon be looking back on our incredible adventure.
We’re leaving for Bangkok in the morning. We loved Cambodia with its warm, friendly people, stunning temples, and incredible Khmer dishes. Although this trip was short we will hopefully one day return to experience more of the country’s incredible beauty and hospitality.
WELL, WELL, WELL...That was a lot to take in - the last few days have been very heavy reading even from this end! OH MY. It is a reminder that we should never forget the atrocities of mankind. Hopefully in RYAN & BRENDAN's time we will do better. Yes, there is Darfur and again, no one is paying attention or doing anything about it.
ReplyDeleteIT WAS GREAT SKYPING with you today from your rooms in BANGKOK. You boys look like MEN! WOW you have grown up (I'm sure your minds have also taken in a lot of maturing!)
I think one worry about travelling is the "immigration" duty and search, etc. Did someone say bribery?
I found it interesting too that the Land Mine museum is funded by OTTAWA! That was a big concern of Princess Diana too. How about that Temple Shiva aged back to 967AD! Holy Wow.
ENJOY YOUR LAST WEEKS and good idea about transitioning your minds to "home" Dorothy. Life should seem somewhat less stimulating - probably in a good way. Even when Karen & I returned from 2 weeks on the Vancouver train, we went through "anti-climax" where all we could do was sleep! All that excitement at once and then seeming normalicy.
You all are so fascinating and your tales should be published. Your blogging was amazing and with photos, it's so intense.
Someone loves you so much it's even hard to explain. I'm enjoying being there in spirit with you. SKYPING added an amazing facet for me...a window where I can go and gush on you albeit, lacking the hugs and kisses that are in store when you return! Love, Judie & Mats & the Cats! A 1500 meter BUDDA! Yow. Out of GOLD! My kinda guy.