{"id":1972,"date":"2011-02-15T06:37:21","date_gmt":"2011-02-15T05:37:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petitesbullesdailleurs.fr\/petitesbullesdailleurs\/?p=1972"},"modified":"2016-06-23T00:32:50","modified_gmt":"2016-06-22T22:32:50","slug":"les-visages-du-bayon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petitesbullesdailleurs.fr\/en\/les-visages-du-bayon-20110215\/","title":{"rendered":"The faces of Bayon"},"content":{"rendered":"

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!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

mountain temple<\/h2>\n

The Bayon<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Inside, you can offer some incense sticks to Buddha, Shiva, or whoever you like...<\/p>\n

\"Apsaras<\/a><\/p>\n

\"At<\/a><\/p>\n

\"At<\/a><\/p>\n

The faces of Bayon<\/h2>\n

You have to climb some steep steps to access the upper terrace ... A magical place!<\/p>\n

\"At<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The whole thing has something soothing, serene, really fascinating. The Bayon is one of my favorite temples.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

But already, tour groups are coming ... Too many, too noisy.<\/p>\n

Better to leave, in order to keep the magic of the place intact!<\/p>\n