Ta Prohm is not to be mistaken for its famous sister, the root overgrown temple near Angkor Wat, which is also called Ta Prohm. This temple is only a few minutes away from Tonle Bati, so you can combine a visit very easily. What I really like about this temple is that unlike the temples in Angkor you will have this one almost completely to yourself.
Being a child of the 80ies I grew up with Indiana Jones movies, and secretly I always wanted to have similar adventures. At Ta Prohm, with its setting amidst the jungle, the overgrown ruins and no soul around you, I really felt like Indiana Jones about to find an ancient treasure – minus the whip, as that could be easily misunderstood by some people. 🙂 I could have spent hours at the ruins. Maybe I can be an archeologist in my next life.
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| Me having an Indiana Jones moment |
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| Nature taking over |
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| Local women floating on lake |
The only slightly annoying thing at Ta Prohm are the rather persistent children trying to sell you incents or lotus flowers for offerings inside the temple. I recommend that you never buy anything from children whilst in Cambodia. A lot of parents take them out of school, as it is more profitable for them to send their children to work. Whilst I understand that the parents are often desperately poor, this is not going to help them in the long run and is still exploitation and child labour in my eyes. Anyway, enough of my moaning.
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| Children trying to sell to other tourists |
Opposite Ta Prohm is another really beautiful, but more modern temple complex, which is also well worth a visit. The temple is called Yeay Peau, and boasts live sized statues, ancient stupas and delicate ornaments.
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| Midday sun reflecting off the roof |
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| Yeay Peau was built beside a leftover ruin of Ta Phrom |
Have you been to Ta Prohm and have you found your inner Indiana Jones somewhere too? I would love to hear about it.
I’m so glad you posted this – I hadn’t heard of it before! I have a feeling that my Partner In Crime and I are going to be having a bit of a daytrip in the upcoming weeks! Great photos!
Thank you very much! There are so many great day trips you can do from Phnom Penh (posts to follow!!!), but this has been my favourite I think. Just because I am such an archeology nerd. 🙂
Great find Tammy! Looks a lot more relaxing and peaceful than the temples in and around Angkor.
I went to Bagan in Burma a few years ago (before it was “cool”) in the peak of the hot season and I pretty much had the entire place to myself. It was indeed very Doctor Jones.
Yes, much more relaxing Bethany. Ohh, I would love to visit Bagan. Even though it is a bit more touristy now. It looks amazing!
I love discovering hidden gems, every place has so many beyond the msot typical tourist treats.
I totally agree Angela. It is much more fun, right? I reckon there is an adventurer hidden inside all of us!
And only an easy tuk-tuk ride from Phnom Penh 🙂 Great pics! Have you bean to the animal sanctuary yet?
The tuk tuk ride is the most fun part, especially if things keep flying out of it and onto the road. 🙂 Yes we have. We took our tuk tuk driver’s wife and daughter with us. Post to follow!
Very nice article about Cambodia. Keep it up.