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Ta Prohm - Tomb Raider Temple

We have been to the Angkor temple complex which houses around a 1000s temples (some tiny so small you wouldn't notice them, others are huge religious monuments still in use today). For our stay in Siem reap we will be visiting the temple park spread over miles of countryside a number of times and we will be sharing some of the many photos we have taken at the more impressive temple sites. By the way according to this Wikipedia list the Angkor temples are the 4th "8th Wonder of the World" we have visited so far on our trip, the others being , the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army and the 3 Gorges Dam. I think you could create a very extensive and excellent round the world tour visiting all the places that try to claim they are the 8th Wonder of the world. 


On the way to and from the temple we meet bands playing
local music. Michelle bought a CD All of the band is made
up from land mine victims. Due to its violent past their are
hundreds of fresh victims every year. This is one way
they can earn money without begging. 
Today we are posting pictures of Ta Prohm, nicknamed the Tomb Raider temple as they filmed some shots for the Angelina Jolie film her. Unlike most temples in the Angkor site they have decided to not remove the tree from in and around the temple. The trees have become a key draw for visitors adding to the atmosphere of this ancient structure. The ruins and sculptures merging with the jungle all around it. Out of all the temples we have seen so far this temple had the most atmospheric. 


Trees both hold up and knock down walls and buildings

At the edge of the temple the ruins start to merge with the jungle

Amazing root structures
    


Local Children collect plastic bottles to get some money at recycling centres

   


 

I loved how the jungle and temple combined to create this

The temple still has some high towers standing 




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