Tree in the temple

Tree in the temple

Built in the 12th century and abandoned in the 15th century this temple is one of the oldest ruins in the area. It really shows the power of Mother Nature as some of the trees growing out of the walls are hundreds of feet high. This is to be expected as the area around the temple is a jungle and the place has been left unattended for over 500 years. Still I wasn’t expecting the trees to be quite so huge. The above photograph is a section of the roots of one of these massive trees. In 2010 the Archaeological Survey of India started to restore the temple as you can see by the modern intrusion of the metal support in this small doorway or window.

Stupa at Preah Khan Temple

Stupa at Preah Khan Temple

“I will meet you on the other side in about an hour” my tuk-tuk driver said in broken English as I walked through the entrance of this temple in Cambodia. Having no idea how big it was and not seeing anybody else to ask I started wondering through the ruins. Coming across a “guide/security guard” he started to walk along with me and one of the things he pointed out to me was this Stupa. When you stand in this point the hole in the wall makes it look like the flame of a candle.

Thean Hou Temple Kuala Lumpur

Thean Hou Temple Kuala Lumpur

The Thean Hou Temple is a famous six tiered Chinese temple overlooking the city of Kuala Lumpur. It was built in 1987 by the Hainanese community living in the area and is dedicated to the Goddess Tian Hou (The Heavenly Mother). This photograph shows the area within the temple where visitors take off their shoes to go inside. There are hundreds of photo opportunities with the art work and statues, particularly on the roof. It is difficult however to record a wide view of the temple like this without using sound and video to give a greater feel of the atmosphere.

Tomb Raider Doorway at Ta Prohm

Tomb Raider Doorway at Ta Prohm

This doorway at the Ta Prohm temple ruin in Angkor Wat is very famous and popular with tourists as it was featured in a Tomb Raider movie. I haven’t seen the film yet, but I did see the dozens of tourists lining up to have their photographs taken in front of it. I was thinking that I would have to go back early in the morning (and not really wanting to because there is a rope in the way) but fortunately when I walked back for a second look I was able to get in front of the group and grab this very quick snap. To be honest I think there are more interesting parts of this temple where they have let the trees grow over parts of the old ruins.