Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei

We spent a day exploring Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei temples as well as the countryside along the way. Ta Prohm was built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and originally called Rajavihara (in Khmer: រាជវិហារ). Located approximately one kilometre east of Angkor Thom and on the southern edge of the East Baray, it was founded by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII. Ta Prohm was also the sight of some scenes from the 2001 movie Tomb Raider. Banteay Srei is a 10th-century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Along the road are some fun scenes of daily life in this part of Cambodia.

The eastern gate at Ta Prohm.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
The eastern wall at Ta Prohm. A tuk-tuk driver rests in the shade.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
The map and the rules for Ta Prohm.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
People love Ta Prohm for the trees and jungle.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Plants and Vegetables Silkcotton Tree Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
A huge tree on top of a wall at Ta Prohm.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Plants and Vegetables Silkcotton Tree Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
I guess if I stood there long enough the tree would swallow me too. This is probably a silk-cotton tree.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Plants and Vegetables Silkcotton Tree Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Wandering at Ta Prohm.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Plants and Vegetables Silkcotton Tree Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
This carving of what appears to be a Stegosaurus at Ta Prohm has been seized upon by creationists as "evidence" that dinosaurs and humans coexisted.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Although founded as a budhist temple there are many hindu bas-reliefs. One explanation that has been proffered is that much of the temple's original Buddhist narrative artwork must have been destroyed by Hindu iconoclasts following the death of Jayavarman VII
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Checking out Ta prohm.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
A giant silk-cotton tree trying to swallow the temple.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Plants and Vegetables Silkcotton Tree Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Inside a corridor at Ta Prohm.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Inside a corridor at Ta Prohm.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
A quick selfie at Ta Prohm.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Selfie sticks everywhere!
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Ta Prohm is one of the more popular temples.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Exploring the ruins.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
I'm pretty sure this is one of the libraries.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Restoration and conservation has only begun in Ta Prohm in the 21st century. Consequently, it is in much the same condition as when it was "discovered."
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Before and after.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
This wing was restored between 2007 and 2010.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Inside the restored eastern side south wing.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
I believe this structure is stabilized but not restored.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm UNESCO World Heritage michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Women collecting "seaweed" from Srah Srang. This is an ancient temple reservoir.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
A boy walking his cattle.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Schoolkids on the road as we head to Banteay Srei.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
My Big Fat Hindu Wedding
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Men driving a tractor.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Approaching Banteay Srei.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
The entrance to Banteay Srei.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Banteay Srei and moat.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Inside Banteay Srei. Banteay Srei is a 10th-century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Musicians playing traditional khmer music at Banteay Srei.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Never mind the ancient temple!
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia Ta Prohm michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Woman making palm sugar.
Asia Cambodia Food and Beverage Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Palm Sugar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Palm sugar in forms.
Asia Cambodia Food and Beverage Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Palm Sugar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Palm sugar "nuts."
Asia Cambodia Food and Beverage Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Palm Sugar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
The finished product ready to sell.
Asia Cambodia Food and Beverage Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Palm Sugar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Woman packaging palm sugar for sale.
Asia Cambodia Food and Beverage Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Palm Sugar Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Cashew Apples with the nut hanging below.
Asia Cambodia Cashew Apple Food and Beverage Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com
Boy relaxing on a hammock in the shade.
Asia Cambodia Khmer Michael Walker Michael Walker Photos Places Southeast Asia michaelwalkerphotos www.michaelwalkerphotos.com

m i c h a e l w a l k e r p h o t o s

Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei