“”I can imagine the old Angkor architects shouting out their rallying cry, “My drill will pierce the heavens!”, as they worked on their temple blueprints. They will be most gratified to know that we, on our pilgrimage 1,000 years later to their shrines of male virility and potency, have found that their drills did indeed pierce the heavens.
Ok, so I probably blaspheme. :P
We visited the outlying temples today. In order, we went to Bantaey Srei in the morning and the Roluos group of temples, which consisted of Lolei, Bakong and Preah Ko after lunch. Riding in the tuk-tuk to Banteay Srei was a pleasant enough experience as the air was still cool and and refreshing. As we passed by buses and trucks, the tuk-tuk would rattle in their tailwind. I thought it was a great way to take in the sights.
However, after the sun had shone and the land had warmed, things got a bit more uncomfortable. Passing vehicles would stir up swirling mini-sandstorms that engulfed us. By the end of the day, we were dirty and grimy. My hair was caked with dust.
The temples ruins we visited were in a state of dilapidated grandeur. Blocks of stucco/brick/random stony construction material had fallen off the original structures. Carved figures of deities and mythical beings and ancient inscriptions had been defaced. But the ruins still looked magical. Standing within them and imagining their former glory transports one to another time. Without the zounds of tourists of course.
I liked Bakong most of all today. It was huge and tall and grand. it is described as a mountain temple. From it’s peak, one can survey the surrounding landscape with impudence. And it has a neat moat that hasn’t dried up too! Singapore should take some lessons from the Angkor moat engineers in reservoir construction.
While touring Angkor, we popped by a landmine museum. Most amusingly, it was founded and is still run by this Cambodian demining hero who calls himself Akira. He heard the name by Japanese journalists and liked it.
Cambodian kids have ingenious methods of nabbing the tourist dollar. At Preah Ko, this girl put a “friendship ring on me. It didn’t work.
The temple ruins reminded me of this cake that Elgin had for dessert yesterday. Called “Chocolate Linga”, it is suggestively shaped.
Observe today’s skyscrapers, pointed towards the skies. Do they remind you of anything? Angkor architects would be pleased to know that their spirit is very much well and alive. May all our drills pierce the heavens!
