East Mebon Temple At Siem Reap

East Mebon is interesting for its commanding set of towers and a couple of nice animal carvings. And it used to be in a big reservoir, only accessible by boat. Beats trudging.

Presence felt. A classic, symmetrical layout of four towers surrounding a main tower. Nice brick work.

Animal species #1, a couple of fat-ass lions, guarding the entrance. Heading in.

Line up the brick sandstone towers in your shot correctly and infinity starts to happen.

In the distance, animal species #2, a guarding elephant. Once more to the tower.

Getting wide at the corner of a temple tier, staring down one of the elephants.

Chau Say Tevoda At Siem Reap

Chau Say Tevoda is one of the more delightful temples at Siem Reap, mainly due to its elaborate carving and human scale size. If the big temples at Angkor inspire awe, little Chau Say Tevoda just seems to want a hug.

It's a Hindu temple, dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.

The temple. Really a collection of smaller temples, interconnecting. More hugs!



The layout looking west and a detail of the nice stone carving work.

Looking back, toward the east.

Corridor and mini-bridge that leads from the main entrance to the next temple.

A perfect layout.

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Sunrise At Angkor Wat

You gotta get up early to see the Big Boy (Is Angkor Wat a boy?) come to life with the rising sun. Say, 4:30am. The main show is at the front entrance, which faces west. Think orange glow, looming backlit behemoth. The crowds gather at a couple of reflecting pools and jockey for position. Proof in this old post here.

It's nice that everyone is fixated on the Instagram angle. It leaves the rest of the temple to the adventurous few. Using a basic strategy of heading in the moment the guards allow it and going straight to the back leaves a bit of time for just you and Mr Wat.

The sunrise results, solitary enrichment.

Getting Your Khmer On At Phimai Historical Park In Thailand

Angkor without the crowds. In Northeast Thailand, near the city of Khon Kaen, is an impressive example of Khmer temple architecture. The site is located at the terminus of an old Khmer highway, with the other end being at some place called Angkor Wat.

The classic approach.

Temple detail work, definitely a nod to what's found in Cambodia.

View from the back.

Classic nasty naga, the multi-headed snake god. Always good for a railing end. Blocks waiting for re-assembly.

Without many tourists, one can almost imagine being at the temple during its heyday. At least until it's time to get a bottle of water and a latte.

Some Fun Details At Wat Wutharam In Khon Kaen

Khon Wat Wutharam is a bit of a casual, funky Wat, possessing more of a laid back vibe than other Wats. Maybe it's the out of the way location or waves of stray puppies wandering around. It's kind of hip.

A reclining Buddha is normal, a riot of bright lotus petals as a base is not. Bravo.

Old offerings. Busty something.

Inside one of the prayer halls, a real pile up of artifacts. Drifting into: Wat, Hoarder Edition.

Concerned doll. Moled wax monk.

The busy altar, a texture for everyone.

Ku Pueai Noi Near Khon Kaen

There's a lovely Khmer sanctuary a bit south of the Thai city of Khon Kaen. The site consists of three small buildings made of red sandstone. Pueai Noi dates from around 11th, 12th century A.D.

A bit difficult to make out the front entrance at sunset. Yep, it faces east.

Heading in. Various lintels have detailed carvings.

Someone's left a small Ganesh shrine.

Nice late day dapple on the complex.

View from the west, the sandstone glowing in the fading light of day.

Early Life At The Khon Kaen National Museum

You can get a quick history of the Thai man at the National Museum in Khon Kaen. They have a set of dioramas depicting those heady times, wandering the plain, hunting, hanging with the village elders. A real historical romp.

Out hunting and strutting.

The landscape. Meeting up with the crew.

Portrait of the Thai hunter as a young man.

Back in the village. Temple in the forest.

Once agriculture emerges, a regular commute to work. Oh, the grind!

Murals Of Khon Kaen

In this Instagram world, there's no way you can be a decent tourist destination unless you have a handful of interesting backgrounds. Forget mountains, lakes and natural beauty, just slap up some fun murals. Paint it and the Instagrammers will come.

A whole lot of everything going on.

A building dedicated to tourist murals, something in each "window." Interactive is always a plus.

A side of a hotel, nice way to incorporate the landscape.

Next Marvel movie? Mona Lisa, always adaptable. She's holding a traditional Thai musical instrument, the khene, a mouth organ (a multi bamboo barreled flute).

The mural death match is on!