Cambodia: Siem Reap - Ta Prohm and Wat Themei Killing Field Pagoda

The highlight of Angkor Thom is Smiling Buddha and Ta Prohm for us. 

So after Smiling Buddha, we were sent to lunch and continue the trip to Ta Prohm. 

Why is Ta Prohm the highlight? Because of one movie, the Tomb Raider stared by Angelina Jolie.  

Photo from the internet. 

Frankly, i didn't watch this movie before, or maybe if i did but i don't remember anything about this movie.

The only thing i remember was the location of the film is in Siem Reap, the temple that combine with the trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings, these has make it one of Angkor's most popular temple.

Ta Prohm is about 1km away from Angkor Thom, i'd suggest to visit Smiling Buddha and temples surrounding in the morning, and visit Ta Prohm after lunch, so you have more time to find a good angle to take photo.

Lets go to see some photos then.

I know i shouldn't blame the bad weather, but its does make my photo goes dark.

Ta Prohm is under a huge restoration project, as you can see some steel sticks has installed to support the fragile building.

Project is going on for some time already.

The cement without carving is new.

People are not allow to stand close.

Then we came to the highlight, over growing tree has cover some part of the temple, and this is the tree where Angelina stand in front in the movie.

Some entrance is block by the huge root of trees.

Not only one over growing trees here, but few. This is one of those.

Another highlight of the temple, buddha hides under the root. I try to use high ISO because of the poor sunlight, but turn out too bright on the root. Failure. =(

Horrible root monster =S

Another overgrowing tree. 

This tree is escaping from the temple.

I like this photo provided if more sunlight, sigh.

This is the prayer room. 

Restoration project in Ta Prohm. Before and after.

Restoration is difficult because of the unique building skill used. No one nails has been used, people cut the giant stone in a certain size and plug in like a lego. 

We spend about 2 hours in Ta Prohm and we have no interested in visiting other small temples, so i ask the guide to bring us to Killing Field, Wat Themei. 

Yes you're right, Killing Field of Cambodia is located in Phom Phean, but there are few small killing field in the other city of Cambodia too, one of the killing field is in Siem Reap, inside the temple named Wat Themei. 

The location as below.

Killing field is not far from city, that is located between Angkors and town. 

Wat Thmei is on the road side and hotels surrounded. 

You never know there are a Killing Field Pagoda located in Siem Reap, even if you ever been Wat Themei you may not notice there are a pagoda.

I read this pagoda from some book and since we're not goin to Phom Phean, we decided to pay a visit here, although John is being chicken.

Wat Themei do not collect admission fees, but you can donate for the maintenance of this temple.

Wat means temple in Cambodian, so you will see a normal temple once you enter to the temple area, and pagoda that fill with skulls is on your right hand side.

There are a notice board telling the story of this place and victims, it doesn't feel as scary as Phom Phean killing field i suppose, but the pagoda of skulls and those innocent victim photos did make us feel uncomfortable deep inside our hearts.

The photos color are mostly fade away.

The pagoda of skulls. 

John actually stopped me from taking photos, he doesn't feel good, i agreed to not take the close up one, but i took only one from far to show my respect and sympathy, may you all rest in peace.

Info and tips about Wat Themei, Killing Field of Siem Reap:

1. Admission free, but you can donate for maintenance. 

2. Let your tuk tuk driver and tour guide to bring you here on the way back from Angkor without extra charge (the tuk tuk wants to charge us 5 bucks extra, but i knew the location is near and we skipped some temples, i insist to not pay and they sent us to the place anyway.)

Advice to visit Wat Themei, Killing Field of Siem Reap:

1. Keep quiet and be respect to the monks.

2. Do not make fun on the skulls and victims photo, they were all been the pain that we couldn't imagine.

3. Do not stay too long, do not disturb the souls. 

Alright next post will be Angkor Wat, then i will continue the post of review on F&B in town. I guess another 2 or 3 more posts to end Siem Reap, then i will start Pai and Nepal. Hope to catch up as much as i can before i depart to Koh Samui and Koh Tao in this March!!! =P

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
20130128, 0936am

Rach in goin to shopping later mood.