Ancient Angkor

[three3photos]

IR looks interesting..

 

[noelbynature]

"... surprisingly difficult and scary to climb compared to the Angkor Wat and Bapuon Temples due to the lack of hand-rails and the original laterite steps which can be very high and narrow."

There's a reason for that - the temples were never built for human beings! They were always meant to be the houses for the gods, so many of the staircases were decorative, not functional. You'll find that most temples have only one 'proper' set of stairs, which is usually on the east face!

 

[LAZyNPL]

The temples are meant for worshipping. So b humble n bow your body when u enter doors; kneel n crawl with your hands when u climb up the steps. An ingenious way to make visitors feel inferior n respect to the premises.

 

[LAZyNPL]

Nevertheless I prefer to access by the original means which, though tougher, cast a more unforgettable impression. The new safe stairways make sense for general tourists but is a killer to photographers.

 

[tomcat]

The temples are meant for worshipping. So b humble n bow your body when u enter doors; kneel n crawl with your hands when u climb up the steps. An ingenious way to make visitors feel inferior n respect to the premises.

The other reason why the doorways always seemed to be extra small such that we have to stoop down to enter is for defence purpose. When attacked, the invaders are forced to stoop down when they enter a doorway and made easy target for defenders on the other side to whack them on the head as the enemies negotiate the passageways. This is similar to the defence tactics built into the ancient fort villages of some of the minority tribes in China.

 

[tomcat]

"... surprisingly difficult and scary to climb compared to the Angkor Wat and Bapuon Temples due to the lack of hand-rails and the original laterite steps which can be very high and narrow."

There's a reason for that - the temples were never built for human beings! They were always meant to be the houses for the gods, so many of the staircases were decorative, not functional. You'll find that most temples have only one 'proper' set of stairs, which is usually on the east face!

That's true. The gods are usually supposed to dwell on the upper most level of these temples. The stairs leading up to them are usually very difficult for us mortals to climb. Example, the original stairs from the second level to the uppermost third level of Angkor Wat would be unclimbable for many people due to the steep incline, super narrow steps and lack of hand railings if the Apsara Authority did not construct proper wooden staircases for climbing up and down the third level.

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Even then, climbing down the wooden staircases can be quite daunting still. Just look at the view as they descend and how the people cling onto the hand railings as they inch their way down to the safety of the second level. Then there is the fear of the 'domino effect' if someone above you slips. Those with vertigo would probably not dare to make the climb up these temples.

 

[noelbynature]

When I was there five years ago they had not built the stairway yet. All that was there to the Bakan (the upper level of Angkor Wat) was a single wire railing on the right side of the stairs for tourists to climb down from. Even then, the wire railing was new, in response to the death of a Korean tourist who had fallen to his death the week before!

 

[tomcat]

When I was there five years ago they had not built the stairway yet. All that was there to the Bakan (the upper level of Angkor Wat) was a single wire railing on the right side of the stairs for tourists to climb down from. Even then, the wire railing was new, in response to the death of a Korean tourist who had fallen to his death the week before!

If it was like that when I was there, I wouldn't have dared to climb to the Bakan. I have a problem knee (torn cartilage) which could flare up at any time and I could end up splattered on floor below.

 

[tomcat]

IR looks interesting..

More IR shots here...

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/ir-uv-photography/1032712-angkor-infra-red.html

 

[tomcat]

For those who can view stereo images in 3D using the cross-eye method, here are a few 3D images taken with the Fuji W3..

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