Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple

After shower number two of three for the day, we went out to explore Angkor Thom. This complex was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire, established by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. Angkor Thom, which means "Great City" in Khmer, served as the political, administrative, and spiritual center of the empire.

The centerpiece of this UNESCO site is the Bayon Temple, renowned for its distinctive stone faces and intricate carvings. It was constructed around the same time as Angkor Thom and is considered one of the most significant and enigmatic architectural achievements of the Khmer civilization.

The Bayon Temple represents the mountain that the Khmer people believed to be the center of the universe. It was dedicated to the Buddhist deity Avalokiteshvara and also served as a state temple for King Jayavarman VII. The temple's most striking feature is its numerous large stone faces, believed to depict either the king himself or a combination of his own image with that of Avalokiteshvara.

The faces of Bayon reflect the Khmer belief in a divine ruler who embodies the qualities of a deity, thus ensuring the prosperity and protection of the empire. The serene expressions and enigmatic smiles of the faces are often interpreted as embodying compassion, wisdom, and a symbol of the king's divine power.

Our guide spent a good portion of the time interpreting the intricate bas-reliefs that depict historical events, religious ceremonies, daily life scenes, and mythological stories. These carvings provide insight into Khmer society, culture, and religious beliefs during that era.

We ended the group portion of the day with a sunset toast outside of Angkor Wat. We had a beverage and a selection of Cambodian snacks. There was dried python, crocodile, and water buffalo, in addition to my new favorite, which is a Spanish peanut mix with dried kefir lime leaves and chilies. Also, had a sticky rice, palm sugar, and mung bean mixture that's stuffed into a bamboo shoot that you have to peel. It was a nice cap to the day, as a gathering of monks paraded through one of the entrances and down the walkway.Meer informatie