Sunday, September 18, 2005

This is the one shot I got at Bayon, in Ankor Thom, north of and larger than Ankor Wat, before my batteries died. Posted by Picasa
A buddha sculpture in Ankor Wat. Posted by Picasa
Another dancing aspara...but this one has been charcoal-rubbed (more on that below). Posted by Picasa
A dancing aspara. Posted by Picasa
This is an aspara, or a dancing nymph. They were celestial devotees to the kings who kept the secrets of the royal dances.  Posted by Picasa
These are dancing devatas. They are royal court dancers. Interestingly, the Khmer culture is the birth place of the type of royal dancing that is represented in Thailand. There are several Thai cultural traits that originated in Cambodia, but you'll never hear a Thai say that. In the 1400s the Thais sacked Cambodia and stole away with its artisans, dancers, and warriors. Thai boxing = really Cambodian boxing. Thai food = Khmer food drowned in chili paste. Thai dancing = Khmer royal dances. Same with the silk weaving, wood carving..... Posted by Picasa
One of the buddhist sculptures on the oustide of the outer gallery at Ankor Wat. Posted by Picasa
Entrance to Anchor Wat. Posted by Picasa
Approach to Ankor Wat.  Posted by Picasa
Approach to Ancor Wat. Posted by Picasa
Ankor Wat entrance across its moat. Posted by Picasa
Scripted column in Ankor Wat. Posted by Picasa
Outer gallery at Ankor Wat. Posted by Picasa
Lawn crew hard at work. Posted by Picasa
Some of the landscaping crew taking a rest. Posted by Picasa