The Dying Forest of the Jayatataka Baray
Cambodia November-December 2016 (18 photos)
The Jayatataka Baray is a large artificial lake, created in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, one of the greatest of the Kings of the Khmer Empire. The temple of Neak Pean in the center of the Jayatataka Baray was a place of healing. With the fall of the Khmer Empire, the Baray fell into disuse and disrepair and at some time dried up. Not unexpectedly, as we’ve seen at the temples of Angkor, the trees reclaimed the land and a forest evolved. However, the Baray was repaired and refilled with water, flooding the roots of the trees and killing them. During dry periods, the trees take hold again, only to die upon refilling of the Baray. The ghosts of the trees still stand in the Baray today.
“The last march of the Ents”
…
It’s not hard to imagine being lost inside Cambodia. I thought I’d present some more Cambodian landscapes in this post.
…
“Phnom Kulen”
Phnom (Mount) Kulen is north of Angkor. It is considered to be a holy mountain in Cambodia, of special religious significance to Hindus and Buddhists who come to the mountain in pilgrimage. It is also of major symbolic importance for Cambodians as the birthplace of the ancient Khmer Empire. Here, King Jayavarma II proclaimed independence from Java.
“The Reclining Buddha”
There is a Buddhist monastery up the top containing the country’s largest Reclining Buddha. If you didn’t know, a reclining Buddha is a statue that represents the historical Buddha during his last illness, dying/dead and about to enter the nirvana-after-death.
“The River of Lingas”
On the mountain is the River of Lingas, regarded as holy by Hindus. Just under the water’s surface over 1000 small linga carvings were etched into the sandstone riverbed. King Jayavarman II had the river diverted so that the stone bed could be carved. Downstream a waterfall cascades down the mountain.
Angelina Jolie leaps from this waterfall in the Tombraider movie.
The Khmer Rouge used Phnom Kulen as a final stronghold as their regime came to an end in 1979. No wonder with all that jungle coverage to hide them.
The countryside of Cambodia is very green. Very noticeable for those (me) from drier continents.
…
The northern border with Thailand is quite mountainous and disputed in areas. Just to the right of midline on the next hilltop is a building with a flagpole. That’s in Thailand. Below is the view south over Cambodia.
…
A sunset view from the temple of Pre rup which featured in my earlier post, Lignum Draco and the Temples of Doom.
Very beautiful!
Thanks. There plenty to admire outside of the towns and temples.
Amazing!
Cheers.
Nice pictures with a spot of history. the little wooden house in the forest reminds me of similar structures in the Amazon.
Thank you. All the houses in this region are on stilts. It makes me wonder how the elderly and frail/infirm cope with climbing up/down the steps to the houses.
Everything seems so primitive and yet so beautiful. I’m sure it wasn’t AJ herself pulling off that stunt! LOL!
Cambodia has a tropical climate. It’s green regardless of what people do. And it’s hot and humid.
Yes, I’m guessing Angelina didn’t actually jump off that waterfall. The insurance premiums would have been too high. ๐ ๐ ๐
Too bad about AJ…. ๐ Bwahaha!
LOL ๐ ๐ ๐
I’ve never imagined Cambodia as such a lush place. Languid and mysterious. All that green and those tree skeletons rising from the lake.
It’s a tropical climate. It’s hot and humid all year round and there’s an annual monsoon period. Perfect weather for the jungle to consume the land if not stopped. Coming from a dry continent, it’s an amazing sight.
The tree skeletons are haunting. I’m glad my guide explained to me why and how the trees came to be dead. It added much to my experience of the area, just as his commentary added an extra dimension to every place I visited.
This place is wonderful!
I loved every moment being there. Thank you.
I suppose ๐
๐
The water scenes are my favorites – the colors and reflections are divine.
Thank you, Elisa. Being there, the reflections really stood out. It was a beautiful scene.
Unique and beautiful photos of Cambodia! Almost like a different country.
Thank you. I’m happy i can project some of the beauty of the country.
Thanks for the landscape images–the reclining Buddha did touch my heart.
Thank you, Sally. Buddha images always seem to project a sense of serenity.
Indeed…
๐
Thank you for sharing…just fantastic…
My thanks. Glad you’re enjoying this tour of Cambodia.
Aside from the occasional dragon scale that I need to sweep up, it’s been a wonderful trip.
Thanks. I dropped a scale? Well, I’m glad you’ve got a nice souvenir. ๐
Wonderful photographs, Lignum!
I especially love the waterfall. It is truly so beautiful.
Thank you very much, Lisa. Cambodia is actually quite flat. The waterfall was an unusual feature but a welcome sight.
The Dying Forest is beautifully captured. I can almost feel the river flow and waterfalls (nice and cool) from you photos. Now I know the heat and humidity you are talking about.
Yeah, I was resting at the at the Thailand area with a flagpole. ๐ ๐
Thank you, Amy. The waterfall was an interesting change in scenery. Very beautiful.
Yes, Bangkok and southern regions of Thailand are on the same parallel as Cambodia – tropical zone. And to think you were at that lookout. So near, yet so far. ๐ One day …
One day… are you trying to scare me all over again๐ณ๐ฐ
Really enjoyed your “Lost inside Cambodia” post. ๐
Try??? I don’t need to try, Amy. In fact, if I were you, I would be choosing and assembling rations, enough to stay bunkered in your home for about 5 days. You may need it sooner than you realise. ๐ ๐ ๐
Thanks for visiting Cambodia with me, Amy. To think, you were just across the border.
I’m shaking in my boots… ๐จ Houston is too slow, 911 is on call!! ๐
Thank Goodness I didn’t book to Cambodia. ๐
LOL ๐ ๐ ๐
“The ghosts of the trees still stand in the Baray today” You describes it very well. Beautiful shots of nature that has been standing around for so well…and probably will for a long time to come โบ
Thank you. I believe you’re right. The tropical climate favours Nature.
The drowned trees wonderful. Not to say that I don’t like a typical tropical forest.
It was a very eye-catching sight.
I just feel like some of these shots you could walk into and keep walking forever.
Thank you very much. The roads are very straight and have that effect.
This is a cambodia I did not see unfortunately – but when I return in 2018 I shall try and see through your lensโฆwonderful wonderful photos.
Thank you very much. I’m happy I can show glimpses of Cambodia away from the temples.
Why area of Cambodia are you going to? I’d love to go back and see Battambang.
Well going to stay with my friend who is an expat and living in PP but our intention is to travel around and by the time I get there next year she will have lived in PP fir over twelve months and will know the lay of the land.
Sounds like a great trip with a friend to act as a local guide. Should be a lot of fun.
Great shots – the waterfall photo is incredible!
Thank you very much.
Hey Mr Draco .. wonderful photos. The waterfall is a stunner. One day I’ll get to Cambodia ..
Thank you very much, Julie. I believe you when you say you will.
A fascinating post Mr Dragon. Beautiful photographs!
Thank you very much. It was hard to put the camera down at times. ๐
Wouah, beautiful picture !!!
Thank you very much.