Part Two of The Adventures Of de-I And The Temples Overrunning With Tourists! - Bayon Temple

Our third full day in Cambodia was our second Khmer ruins immersion tour.  We were doing the largest and best known of the temples.  We started at the Angkor Thom complex.  Angkor Thom was the last built and most enduring Khmer capital city.  Within its walls was the administrative complex of the kingdom, while outside was where there rest of the city was - think of the Federal Quadrangle in Washington, D.C.  We spent the first part of the day exploring the huge Bayon Temple which is in the victory square of the city.  Of all the temples we visited, this was my favorite because of the wonderful carvings with their detail of life during the period.

Entrance to the Angkor Thom Complex

The Bayon Temple

 

The Temple Carvings

There were carvings everywhere on this immense temple.

Many depicted a major battle where the Khmer and their Chinese allies (mercenaries?) under King Jayavarnam VII defeated the forces of Champa (Viet Nam).

Khmer Royal soldiers

Chinese soldiers - note the different head dress and beards

 Captured Champa soldiers

Camp scene - making food 

A huge lake is nearby where part of the battle was held.

Note injured soldier in water being eaten by crocodile on bottom.

 

Grilling fish

 Fighting

Preparing rice, pig, and fish

Apsaras - Celestial Dancers

 

Camp life - Note monkey on left pilfering

 

Devotions to Vishnu