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I'd seen and experienced a lot in this trip to Cambodia. As I
prepared so the goal of this trip is not to see glamour but instead
to explore magnificent architectures, to understand history and to
understand poverty. Later on I realized that I was not as prepared
as I should be, especially when witnessing the recent Cambodian
history. It was so horrible that I even carried negativities with me
for few days after I left Cambodia (really have to thank my friends
bringing me back to my life). My overall impression for this trip is
"Wow, it was a lot for my heart to handle!" and I feel really blissful for everything I
have. Thanks you my guardian angles.
The Entree of my trip to Cambodia, Angkor Wat, one of the world's
seven wonders. Built in the twelfth century, it represents the
height of the Khmer Empire.
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Bayon, Angkor Thom - erected a total of 54 4-face towers,
representing the King Jayavarman VII of that time or Bodhisattva
overlooking from all direction of the 54 provinces of the Khmer
Empire. |
Ta Prom - 'tis where Angelina Jolie filmed the Tomb Raider. This the
monument for King Jayavarman VII's mom. After hundreds of years, it
has become a stunning display of the embrace between the nature and
human hand work. |
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Bayon - it is the temple for King Jayavarman VII himself. He ruled
the Khmer Empire for 30 years only, but through the delicate temples
and the written inscriptions, we understand that he was a good King. |
Taking picture of the main tower of the Angkor Wat. Built in the
12th century by King Suryavarman II. The balance, the composition,
and the design have made it one of the finest and beautiful
monuments in the world. |
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Pre-Rup is a funeral temple. |
Pre-Rup - Where I took this
picture is what they called heaven, or upper ground to the God. |
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The Angkor Wat tower taken during the 5 minute sunset. |
Banteay Srev - the delicacy of the carvings in this temple is highly
acclaimed. In deed, this temple is for the God of Destruction. |
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The popular stone carving of Khmer women. What you see is the effect
of chemical bleaching of the stone. It does damage the artifact. |
Walls and walls of deep stone carving depicting every aspect of
lives during the Khmer Empire period. There are animals and
oxcarts, hunters, cook, traders, Chinese merchants, naval,
footsoldiers, and everything. |
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Terrance of the Elephants, inside the Angkor Thom. |
the
Khmer ancestor gifted for its people. =) |
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I didn't take all these pictures. Some of which are from this prof
photographer Martin behind me who happens to be my roommate for the
trip. We were on a local Sunday market outside of Phnom Phen. |
Me and a monk at the Royal Palace. Like some citizens have to join
the military for some countries, Cambodians have to go to monastery
twice in their life, namely as appreciation to mom and appreciation to
dad. |
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My first expedition after arriving Phnom Phen. Despite being the
capital, most of the streets in the city are like this. And more,
majority of major roads don't install traffic lights, so cross
street is kind of like an OMG. Although Phnom Phen has a poor living
standard, Cambodians are quite satisfied as if you lived 30 years in
war, you will understand the distinction between need and want. |
This kid would be among the middle or upper class families in
Cambodia. However, my first thought seeing kid was why were you born
in this country at this time. I was compassionate at that moment but
at the same time recognized that comparison has made people
struggle. All I wished then was that I hope the country and its
people can advance at the own pace and pursue what they really feel
happy. |
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Street food vendor. All I did try was the variety of naturally
(organically) grown fruits. |
Local market. Without stable electricity to power fridge, Cambodians
likely go out shopping for every single meal. |
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I wish her good... |
Caterpillar at daily work for street cleaning. |
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Tuolsleng Genocide Museum |
Choeung Ek Genocide Center |
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Temple storing 8500 skulls as evident for international court
case against humanity of the remaining Khmer Rouge leaders in the
brutal genocide. |
These genocide centers store records of the darkest side of human
nature and represent a brutal chapter of the Cambodian history. The
Khmer Rouge political party killed 2.7 million out of 7 million
Cambodians during 1975-1978. This mass murdering was not emerged
from economic hardship but simply to satisfy the leader's wish and
ideology to establish an equal harmonious society. Ironically,
instead of opening the heart to treat everyone equal, Pol Pot, the
leader of Khmer Rouge, chose to eliminate difference... The success
of his killing regime was accomplished by a perfect system in
controlling people's time, mobility, collective power and mind. See
what only 80K military with a rotten system can do on 7 million
people. It was horrible...
Somehow this reminds me of Lincoln's saying: "if you want to test a
man's character, give him power." |
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Sky, Cloud, Reflection |
Mekong River ride |
Fried Turtles |
Banana & Leaves |
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Wat Phnom -Built in 1373. It is the origin of the name of the city
of Phnom Penh. |
Wall painting inside the Wat Phnom.
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Royal Palace. |
Royal Palace. |
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Royal Palace with an Angkor Wat model. |
A ride visiting the fishermen's lives along the Mekong River. |
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