Temple Trekking in Cambodia….Ta Prohm

We took our guides advice and went to this temple first in hopes of not meeting as many tourists.  We beat a whole lot of tuk tuks on the way out…..

Ta Prohm was built in the 12^th century but had been abandoned for centuries before it was discovered, having  become almost part of the jungle. It seems there are two suggestions as to why there had been no attempt to clear out the trees…….1)it is more emotive and 2) the buildings would totally collapse if they were removed….

I think I believe the second!

Same tree around the other side! 

This is apparently the tree which featured in Tomb Raider, a film with Angelina Jolie.  We wouldn't know as unfortunately we haven’t seen the film……... but will probably do so now!

Its amazing to see how the roots have intertwined everywhere with the buildings

 some, indeed, needed to be propped up….

 and one can see how they have been involved in the collapse of some….

The interior construction of the temple is interesting…….

Some of the buildings have either been reconstructed or remained intact.

There is however still an enormous amount of work to be done, as some of the buildings look in imminent danger of collapse…...

On exiting the temple grounds we were immediately surrounded by souvenir sellers….. we learnt to immediately say ‘NO’ otherwise we would be followed and hassled to buy…..anything