Orchid Guides Angkor Observed

by Rooney, Dawn

• ISBN13: 9789748304793
• ISBN10: 9748304795
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-08-01
• Publisher: Orchid Pr

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	9	(4)
Preface	13	(2)
Angkor, Its Glory and History	15	(26)
Recalling Angkor's past	23	(4)
The Inland Sea	27	(1)
Before Angkor	28	(2)
The rise and fall of Angkor	30	(3)
The first glimpses of Angkor	33	(7)
Angkor today	40	(1)
The Explorer's Trail	41	(14)
The arduous journey	41	(5)
Siem Reap-stepping stone to Angkor	46	(1)
Elephants and oxen	47	(8)
To Angkor, the Water Way	55	(20)
Across the seas to Cambodia	55	(1)
Up the Mekong by steamship	56	(5)
Sojourn at Phnom Penh	61	(4)
Across the lake-a surreal experience	65	(4)
Siem Reap grows up	69	(2)
Grand style	71	(2)
Epilogue	73	(2)
The Alternative Routes	75	(16)
By road and train from Singapore	75	(4)
The bumpy way to Angkor	79	(1)
A scenic trip from Vietnam	79	(2)
The track from southern Laos	81	(2)
The Phnom Penh - Siem Reap link	83	(1)
The ancient Khmer highway	84	(1)
The `Grand Circuit' and the `Petit Circuit'	85	(1)
The pioneer persists	86	(1)
Routes less travelled	87	(1)
Tips for travellers	88	(3)
First Impressions and Early Angkor	91	(28)
Dazzling Angkor	91	(2)
The appeal of the jungle	93	(3)
A sole dissenter	96	(1)
The novelty of monkeys	96	(1)
Roluos	97	(3)
Bakheng	100	(8)
Baksei Chamkrong	108	(1)
Banteay Srei	109	(6)
Te Keo	115	(1)
Baphuon	116	(3)
The Splendour of Angkor Wat	119	(36)
The `Sun King'	119	(1)
The architects-mortals or gods?	120	(1)
The largest temple in the world	121	(1)
Angkor Wat - an earthly Mount Meru	122	(3)
Here at last! The entrance to Angkor Wat	125	(1)
The renowned Five Towers	126	(1)
The auspicious naga (serpent)	127	(2)
The Terrace of Honour	129	(7)
Windows, balusters and shafts of light	136	(1)
The Gallery of Bas-Reliefs	137	(7)
The sacred ascent	144	(3)
The apsaras-heavenly females	147	(3)
The sacrosanct uppermost level	150	(2)
Bats, bats and more bats	152	(2)
Angkor Wat the invincible	154	(1)
Angkor Thom, the Opulent City	155	(34)
Gateways to the Royal City	156	(5)
The Royal Palace and the Palatial Square	161	(4)
Phimeanakas	165	(1)
Terrace of the Elephants	166	(3)
Terrace of the Leper King	169	(2)
The Bayon	171	(1)
The Centre of the Universe	171	(7)
The staring eyes	178	(2)
Daily life revealed	180	(4)
The apsaras dance	184	(1)
Recollections of Bayon	185	(4)
Beyond the Gates of the Royal City	189	(26)
Preah Khan	189	(9)
Neak Pean	198	(9)
Benteay Kdei	207	(1)
Srah Srang	208	(1)
Ta Prohm	208	(7)
Reflections	215	(12)
Glossary	227	(3)
Bibliography	230	(4)
Index	234