Cambodia and Thailand - February 2011
Dear English-speaking readers, this page is an automatic translation of an article originally written in French. I apologise for any strange sentences and funny mistakes that may have resulted. If you read French, click on the French flag below to access the original, correct text:
Français
I wanted to see the temples of Angkor again. In particular the Bayon and its towers, sculpted with faces with enigmatic smiles. Seeing and seeing again... I love it!
mountain temple
The Bayon is the first temple we asked to visit. A "temple-mountain" of the XIII-XIV century. This is my third visit, and I am not jaded. It continues to fascinate me.
On the first level, a maze of gray stones, in which one loses oneself a little, between the pillars decorated with apsaras, the celestial dancers, and frescos representing scenes of the daily life and episodes of the Hindu mythology.
Inside, you can offer some incense sticks to Buddha, Shiva, or whoever you like...
The faces of Bayon
You have to climb some steep steps to access the upper terrace ... A magical place!
There, huge faces with benevolent, slightly enigmatic expressions observe you. Each tower is decorated with three or four faces. There would be nearly 200 in all.
You have to take your time on this terrace, stroll quietly, stop, look up, turn around, to discover a different, unexpected perspective. With each turn, it is a new string of smiles. The stone is grey-green or golden depending on the orientation of the sun.
The whole thing has something soothing, serene, really fascinating. The Bayon is one of my favorite temples.
But already, tour groups are coming ... Too many, too noisy.
Better to leave, in order to keep the magic of the place intact!
🙄
