Siem Reap - Angkor Wat Temples Part 2

Angkor Thom

After visiting the Angkor Wat temples, we proceeded to Angkor Thom.  The south gate of Angkor Thom is just 1.7 km north of Angkor Wat.

South gate of Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom, known as Big City, is a 3 km squared walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian empire.  After Jayaraman VII recaptured the Angkorian capital from the Cham invaders in 1181, he began a massive building campaign across the empire, constructing Angkor Thom as his new capital city.  He began with existing structures and built a grand enclosed city around them adding the outer wall/moat and some of Angkor's greatest temples including his state-temple, Bayon, which is set at the center of the city.  There are five entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal point, and the victory gate leading to the Royal Palace area.  Each gate is crowned with 4 giant faces.

Close up of the Hindu demons

Angkor Thom is in the Bayon style.

A Hindu God

Holiday Travel Tips:-
Notice that some of the heads are missing and some are a very light clayish colour as these are not original and have been replaced.

One of the five gates with Hindu gods and demons

The bas reliefs on the southern exterior wall of the lower level as seen here depict the real-life scenes from the historical sea battle between the Khmer and the Cham.

Bas reliefs on the Southern exterior wall

Bayon Temple

Beautiful

Columns in a row

Get your picture taken

A very popular tourist spot

Apsara

Holiday Travel Tips:-
Should you not have much time to visit all the Angkor Wat temples, then at least make time for Angkor Wat as well as the Bayon temple

Faces of Avalokiteshvara at Bayon Temple

The giant stone faces of Bayon have become one of the most recognisable images connected with classic Khmer art and architecture.  There are 37 standing towers with most but not all sporting four carved faces.

Intricately designed

Carved reliefs on a temple of Angkor Thom

As can be seen from most of these Angkor Wat temples ruins, you can admire the various bas reliefs of the many mythological figures of gods and goddesses from Hinduism to Buddhism.

Apsara

Lovely works of art

Buddha

Bayon

Lions and dragons

UNESCO site - World Cultural Heritage

Faces everywhere

 

Terrace of the Elephants

Terrace of the Elephants is an impressive, two and a half metre tall, 300 metre long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and garudas that spans the heart of Angkor Thom.  The northern section of the wall displays some particularly fine sculpture.

Terrace of the Elephants

Check out the carvings - young elephant learning how to catch a boar

More sculptures

Ta Prohm

Conservation and restoration of Ta Prohm temple

Ta Prohm was constructed in the mid 12th to early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII in the Bayon style.  Located approximately one kilometre east of Angkor Thom, this sprawling Buddhist monastic complex is only partially cleared of jungle overgrowth.

Trees literally grow on the temple

See how huge the trees are, just by the roots

Ta Prohm temple

History of Ta Prohm temple

Intentionally left partially unrestored, massive fig and silk-cotton trees grow from the towers and corridors offering a 'jungle atmosphere' and some of the best 'tree-in-temple' photo opportunitites at Angkor.  The unusual sight of trees towering from the ruins of Ta Prohm have made it one of Angkor's most visited temples, with many calling it the 'tree temple'.

Beautiful carvings

Ta Prohm was one of King Jayavarman VII's first major temple projects and dedicated to his mother whilst Preah Khan was dedicated to his father.

Such a pity, all in ruins

Restoration works being carried out

Laborious but necessary...  labeling of each and every stone to be put back in the exact spot

The Banjaran Hotspring Retreat, Ipoh, Malaysia

The Banjaran HotSpring Retreat, Ipoh, Malaysia

Part of the Sunway Hotels group, the Banjaran Hotspring Retreat in Ipoh Malaysia is truly a gem in the ocean. 

The Banjaran is a 5-star eco-friendly retreat sanctuary consisting of 25 luxury villas offering holistic wellness and spa experiences, unequalled hospitality and distinctive Asian grace. Strategically located 15 minutes from the city of Ipoh, it is just 2 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur and 1.5 hours drive from Penang.

Select from either the Garden Villa or the Water Villa.  With your very own private plunge pool and outdoor jacuzzi filled with geothermal hotspring water, there is much to occupy yourself in your  villa.

Private plunge pool in the Garden Villa

If you are looking for an escape from the concrete jungle, this 16.59 acre valley fringed by a cluster of towering limestone hills with an amalgamation of natural caves, pristine jungle, waterfalls and geothermal hot springs is definitely the place to visit.  Not only does it provide you a sanctuary from the outside world, it also offers a place of rest, renewal and rejuvenation.

 We were wowed by the beauty of the landscape as well as the flowers in bloom.  Check out Banjaran HotSpring Retreat - Flora for pictures of some of the flowers we were greeted with.

Rojak flower

Similarly, we were amazed at the medicinal herbs grown in the herbal garden.  What made it even more interesting were the little educational signboards where we learned a whole lot during our stay there.  If you would like to know more, do visit Banjaran HotSpring Retreat - Herbal Garden.

Banjaran HotSpring Retreat - Herbal Garden

Nestled amid lush tropical jungle, and embraced by magnificent cliffs on every side, The Banjaran is luxury, and nature, bound in perfect harmony. It is a wellness retreat, hidden away from the frenetic pace of civilization, a sanctuary for the weary and those who seek tranquility. Designed for short term stays with the primary focus on health enhancement and balance, the environment is geared towards fitness, healthy eating, relaxation and renewal. It immerses you in healthy living.

One of the main purposes of staying at The Banjaran Hot Spring Retreat, Ipoh, is to immerse oneself in the geothermal hotspring water said to have beneficial therapeutic properties due to the high mineral content.  The crystal clear hotspring dipping pools with healing properties range in temperature from 40 - 70 degrees C.

Geothermal hotspring lake

The hot dipping pot with geothermal hotspring water, one of 3 with varying temperature

For even more heat, try the Thermal Steam Cave -- a natural sauna to help you sweat your way to a full-body detox.  After a period of time in the thermal steam cave, it is recommended to go into the ice dipping pot which is an out-of-the-world experience.

Ice Dipping Pot

If you would like a place to meditate, experience metaphysical healing or private energy healing treatments, you might like to check out the Crystal Cave or the Meditation Cave for some quiet and secluded time.

Crystal Cave

After your caving experience, you can also visit the Dr Fish pool to have your dead skin cells removed by the garra rufa fish in natural surroundings.

Dr Fish therapy

Spend time lounging away in one of the most unique wine cellars in the world - Jeff's Cellar.  This cellar is set within a 280-million year Paleozoic limestone cave and houses the private collection of the founder and chairman of the Sunway Group, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah Fook Ling.

Be transported into another realm in Jeff's Cellar

Enjoy the tranquility of The Banjaran HotSpring Retreat in Ipoh which was awarded the Winner of Best Resort at the FIABCI Malaysia Property Awards 2011.

The Meditation Cave, another wonder of The Banjaran, with its natural 'wall-painting' is awe-inspiring and a great place to meditate or practice yoga.

Streaks on the walls of the Meditation Cave

Holiday Travel Tips:-
To fully experience all that The Banjaran Hotspring Retreat has to offer, it is best to stay for a minimum of two nights.  We were tempted to go into the city to do some shopping but resisted the temptation as we preferred to make full use of our precious time at the remarkably breath-taking resort at The Banjaran.

Here is the free-form swimming pool which is naturally heated by the underwater hotspring streams.

Free form swimming pool

Of course, not forgetting The Pomelo, the signature restaurant in The Banjaran where you can enjoy great healthy spa cuisine, light and healthy dishes which are low-fat and low cholesterol, but rich in taste.  The cooking and preparation of food makes use of fresh spices and ingredients without the need for artificial seasoning or flavorings.

One of 3 gazebos at The Pomelo where you have the option of dining

The Banjaran is proud to have won a number of awards from AsiaSpa.  Offering over forty holistic treatments based on Malay, Chinese and Indian traditions, you would be pampered with the eco-friendly philosophy where only natural ingredients and water from the geothermal hot springs are used.

The Banjaran Spa and Wellness Centre

For an overview of The Banjaran Resort, ascend the stairs to the Balcony and you will be greeted with breathtaking view of the hotspring retreat.  Notice the limestone rocks which are called strata and which were actually deposited horizontally at the bottom of a deep ocean about 260 million years ago and where tectonic forces that brought the rocks to the surface about 50 million years ago have turned the rock formations to the near-vertical position they are today.

Strata

The Balcony

Ascending steps to The Balcony

If you like to explore the jungle in a natural valley, inform the staff as you will need a guide if you wish to go for the jungle walk.

Jungle Walk

The Banjaran Hotspring Retreat is a great luxury wellness retreat, a sanctuary for the weary and especially those seeking inner peace.  With breathtaking scenery, you get to wash away your stress and be pampered with the various spa treatments.

The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
Address: No. 1, Persiaran Lagun Sunway 3, 31150 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
GPS Coordinates: N 04 37.85′ E 101 9.333′
Tel: +605-2107777
Fax: +605-2107778
email: info.kl@thebanjaran.com
Website: http://www.thebanjaran.com/



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