With a time constraint in Cambodia, I was only able to allot a single day to the brilliant World Heritage Site of the Angkor Wat Temples near Siem Reap.  I was able to see a significant amount of temples that were truly spectacular in complete regards.

The single day really began on the evening before the day.  We arrived to Siem Reap in the mid afternoon and tuk tuked our way to the entrance by around 5pm.  If you arrive at 5pm, you can purchase your $20 single day ticket in the evening for the following day.  That way you can observe the sunset at a temple of choice to get the slightest bit more bang for your buck.

The next day began well before dawn with a massive congregation of camera flashing happy humans at the Angkor Wat Temple.  The crimson sun rose, the cliche of tourist huddled together in awe and the stones glistened to reveal their antiquity.  The antique towers of Angkor Wat were reminicent of Prambanan Temple in Indonesia, yet on much more significant foundation and overall larger structure.   

Walking around the temple was staggering.  The stones are neatly fitted in place, the steps are steeply designed, and the carvings and reliefs are intricately carved.  As I caressed the moldings with my naked fingertips, I could only marvel at the time and effort that normal humans put forth to create such aesthetic beauty.  Many of the reliefs appeared similar to what I had seen at the Buddhist Borobudur Temple in Indonesia. 

A rush of a tuktuk ride and we were hurled towards the stunning Bayon Temple in it’s ruinous glory.  This temple couldn’t help me from thinking that I was Socrates himeself in the midst of a philosophical genius of a thought.  The temple emerges from a foundation of crumbling stones and rises with sets of posts and lintels and heaps of stone blocks.  On entrance, one can observe ornate details of teachings and thoughts engraved into the lichen covered stones.    

By late morning we had arrived at the Preah Khan Temple.  This temple seemed to continue on a single floor for a couple hundred meters as doorways lead to hallways and hallways opened into caverns. 

Thommanom and Chau Say Thevoda Temples were less impressive if compared with the others, yet still gorgeous in all manners without comparisons.

The next temple was the Ta Keo.  The steep and narrow steps lead directly to the summit for an incredible view and pleasant thigh burning hike to the top.

When the fatigue of my body began to kick in we proceeded to the famous Jungle Temple, also known as the Ta Prohm Temple.  Though the masses also chose to visit it at our precise time, all was worth it.  The vines and trees were holding the ancient blocks in place and binding the entirety of the temple together in a splendid view.

In conclusion our tuk tuk driver shuttled us to the Banteay Kdei and Sras Srang Temples.  As my buttocks sank into the comfy tuk tuk seat I didn’t really desire to get up and walk around any longer.  I fought with comfort and forced my legs back into walking conciousness.  Luckily the temples were not as impressive as all the former and 15 minutes was enough. 

As the sun sluggishly set over Angkor Wat, my aching thighs were relaxing and my mind was enthralled in ancient thought as I gushed back into the throne of the tuk tuk and felt like a Pharaoh.

Allow your travels to eventually meander towards Siem Reap and the Temples of Angkor Wat.  The architects and engineers were beyond their years and demonstrated the human ability of imagination, creativity, and construction skills.  Though thousands of appreciative spectators have realized this too, it doesn’t miss direct the quality of such man made structure of extravaganza.

-Migration Mark

Borobudur is an ancient Buddhist temple in central Java, Indonesia.  It is a masterpiece of architecture with various levels, statues, stupas, and stone reliefs.  The temple complex comprises of three round platforms on top of six square platforms.  A Buddhist follower is to walk around each level of the temple following the 1460 narrative relief panels as a symbolic path to enlightenment.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Borobudur comprises of three prestigious qualities, making it a World Heritage Site.

• Borobudur is a masterpiece of human genius
• It Displays an interchange of human values from the culture, shows signs of development in technology and architecture in its time, and presents an advancement in planning and design.
• It has universal significance shown by traditions, ideas, festivities, and artistic ideas.

History

• Built around the year 800AD
• Recently discovered in 1812 by Sir Thomas Stamford
• 1907-1911 Theodore van Erp continued cleanup and restoration
• 1973-1983 UNESCO began work with Indonesia for continued restoration

Borobudur Temple Complex is now the most visited of tourist sites in Indonesia.  It is located about 42km from Yogyakarta and takes around 45 minutes to get there.

From Yogyakarta there are numerous tour companies offering various package deals, sometimes they also include the Hindu Temple Complex of Prambanan also near to Yogyakarta.

Local transportation by bus or motorcycle can also easily be arranged.

Though the heat was exceptionally strong due to the black rock radiating warmth, I thoroughly enjoyed walking around Borobudur, observing the ancient Buddhist reliefs, and admiring the artistic talents.  Although it has been renovated, and some blocks have been replaced and plastered, the ancient site still remains an incredible place to visit in Indonesia.

-Mark Wiens

Related

• Prambanan Hindu Temple Complex
• Surveying the Batu Caves
  

The Temple Compound of Prambadan in Java, Indonesia is an architectural wonder, an amazing historical sight, a picturesque Hindu and Buddhist display, and rightfully a Unesco World Heritage site.  It is classified as one of the most beautiful temples in the world by Hyd-Masti.

It was originally built in the 10th century.  Since then it has been destroyed and deteriorated and rebuilt and renovated.  Most recently damage to the temple was due to an earthquake in Java in 2006.  The main temple complexes are being renovated and are prohibited from entering due to safety concerns.  Nevertheless, the spectacle was truly sensational from from viewing the outside.

There are three zones or three squares making up the Prambanan complex.  The outer square is a large stone fence surrounding the complex, most of it has been destroyed.  The middle square zone at one point consisted of 224 small individual shrines surrounding the entire square but much of it has been harmed.  The inner square is the most important and holiest part of the complex, housing the central temples.

There are three main temples in the inner square dedicated to the trinity of Hindu gods including Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma.  The middle temple dedicated to Shiva also known as the Rorojonggrang is the largest at 47 meters in height.  It displays the relief of Ramayana.

Just 17 kilometers from Yogyakarta and one can be surrounded by an amazing display of a Hindu temple complex built over 1100 years ago.  This site is not to be missed.

There are numerous tour companies offering package deals for transportation and entrance to view the complex.  They are easily and efficiently arranged from Yogyakarta’s main tourist center of Sosrowijayan.  One can also easily  get there by scooter, either renting or finding a friend with a motorized vehicle.  Whatever mode of transport, Prambanan is definitely worth a visit.  Don’t miss it.

Check out Yogya Tours if interested.

Just outside of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, lie the famous Batu Caves.  They are a series of limestone caves surrounded by various Hindu shrines.  The Batu Caves are some of the most popular Hindu shrines outside of India.

The Thaipusam Hindu festival is held here annually.  Nearly 1.5 million people come to partake in the celebrations.  The ceremony involves offering sacrifices to the gods by climbing up the sets of stairs to the shrine at the end of the cave to give the offerings.

We arrived at Batu Caves to see a large golden statue with a daunting staircase in the background.  There were a couple eateries just outside, and after seeing the staircase, decided to grab a banana leaf meal prior to attempting the climb.

We made our way up the steps and surveyed the caves.  After the first level of stairs, the cave opened up into a gallery, a large open area.  After climbing another set of stairs, we arrived to the top level of the gallery with the most sacred shrine.

The Batu Caves are definitely worth a visit.  Catch a cab from the center of Kuala Lumpur, and for about 12 ringits, or about $3, you can be in a different world.

29 March 2009

From this view, Koko Head Crater doesn’t look too strenuous.

From this view, the path, which is an ex-railway track heading straight up the side of the volcano looks a little more intimidating.

We began by parking the car at the Koko Head Park in Hawaii Kai, Honolulu.  Walking around the baseball field, a scrambling path was evident that we took to begin the hike to the top.

Apart from the thigh burns, the heavy heart beats, the exhaustion, build up of the food from previous days eating things like Mitsu Ken, Fresh Catch, and Waiola, the trail is not overly hard.  However, it is a lot more strenuous than the stroll at the the Makapu’u Lighthouse.

1,100 steps of climbing, some half a foot high, others 2 feet high, and we had reached the grueling summit of Koko Head Crater.  The wind picked up its pace and the views were awesome.

It’s not a long hike, but all 1,100 steps are worth the view.  Taking about an hour round trip this hike should be easy to fit in a tight schedule.  I would recommend climbing Koko Head Crater on any Oahu visit.

For more information on hiking Koko Head Crater check out Dan’s Hiking Pages.

-Mark Wiens

Related

• Hike To The Makapu’u Lighthouse
• From Meat to Meet