Faces with Character
North Vietnam Motorbike Trip
Hanoi and Tan Hoa Rice Paper Village
Mekong Delta
Ha Giang North Vietnam
Tu Lan Cave, Phong Nha, Central Vietnam
Temples of Angkor
Tribal Cultures Insight
Collection
Australia Gallery
Myanmar Gallery
Sapa & Surrounds
Vietnam Northern Adventure
Varanasi
Varanasi & Allahabad
Allahabad Kumbh Mela
Tibet
Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraces
Pagodas
Elephant Racing
Lagi Fish Market
Baphuon - 11th Century Set just behind the Elephant Terrace, Baphuon remains hidden in plain sight. This imposing temple hunkers down amongst the foliage and some how seems to stay out of sight for most visitors. In the early morning the only sounds came from parrots wheeling through the treetops and me swearing as i tripped over everything whilst sizing up this behemoth. Initially a Hindu shrine it became Buddhist after several hundreds of years.
Phimeanakas - 11th Century After spending time at Baphuon I exited through a beautiful gate on to the grounds of the former Royal Temple. Whereas Baphuon is set amongst the forest like a stranded battleship, huge and grey, Phimeanakas glowed in the early morning light. King Jayavarman VII is said to have worshipped here and that each evening a nine headed serpent would take on the form of a beautiful woman and to preserve the royal line he was required to sleep with her. If he didn't the line would be broken and he would die without a successor. Then he'd retire to his wife and concubines.
