Throwback to a giant puppet parade a few years ago.

One of the great yearly events in Siem Reap in February is the Great Puppet Parade. It is normally just after sunset on the 3rd Saturday.

The puppets in the parade are made and showed off by local school children and teenagers. The effort is organised by local NGOs. Supported by professional artists and designers the result is mind-blowing. Local businesses sponsor the activity and materials over several months.

Along with the puppets, there are live performances by artists and musicians. Showcasing what a vibrant art and culture scene the second largest city in Cambodia have. Siem Reap have a lot to offer in addition to the World Cultural Heritage site of Angkor Park.

The sunset parade along the riverside gathers close to 20 000 spectators.

After the parade, the puppets are exhibited in parks and at sponsors places for everyone to enjoy, even if they lost out on the parade itself.

This year the theme is Wildlife, celebrating Cambodia’s spectacular nature and fauna.

Earlier years this Apsara Dancer Lady in the photo showcased the ancient art of the Angkor Empire.


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Shout out to our other new friends also conveniently located on the very #BikeFriendly #StephenAve: #ChocolateLab! Delicious hot chocolate was just thing for a slightly chilly morning of #Hallowheelin fun! #BikeLanesMeanBUSINESS #yyc #Hallowheelin #BikePaths #yycbike #ActiveTransportationNetwork

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2jfr7qhenekca6f6qtjgwdr4/post/3m4eb6phjbc2i

Shout out to our other new friends also conveniently located on the very #BikeFriendly #StephenAve: #ChocolateLab! Delicious hot chocolate was just thing for a slightly chilly morning of #Hallowheelin fun! #yyc #Hallowheelin #BikePaths #yycbike #ActiveTransportationNetwork

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2jfr7qhenekca6f6qtjgwdr4/post/3m4ccsxa3n22h

Morning at the West terrace and docks of the East Baray

The East Baray was a water reservoir built early in the Khmer Empire after the relocation of the capital to modern day Angkor Thom.

Today Yasodharatataka, East Baray in Khmer, is a dried-out water basin. It is mostly taken over by the jungle but with some rice paddocks and vegetable and fruit farming.

Slightly smaller than the still existing and large man-made construction West Baray, East Baray was 2 km wide and 7 km long. With a depth of 3 meter, it contained 50 million cubic meters of water.
East Baray is due east of Victory gate and the Elephant terrace in front of the Royal Palace of Angkor Thom. The docks and terrace on the West side is the remains of the important entrance to the west, close to the core area of the Khmer Imperial Capital. Its importance can be traced by the complexity of the docs, and the lion guards and statue remain. It is placed well into the jungle, and not very often visited. Fresh excavations are being done on a hospital temple nearby.

This photo is taken at nearing the end of the peak of green season, when the sun getting stronger and the wet spell are fewer. The green season in visible in how green vegetation and moss are covering and highlighting the remains of buildings, stairs and docks. The area in between is more neutral.

For most visitors, photogs or not, some downpours are good when visiting an area filled with natural and cultural marvels like the Angkor Park:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/cambodia/temples-of-angkor/attractions/eastern-baray/a/poi-sig/1571818/1002179

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Greenlight the best time to visit Cambodia

Sometimes it is nice enjoying the rain cleaning up the air and colours in Angkor Thom. Sitting in a comfortable shelter with other visitors and staff is a sociable affair, too.

Green season in Cambodia starts in June/July and reaches its peak in September/October. Planning to visit during the summer in Europe, or when the Autumn is at its darkest and coldest in the northern hemisphere, those are the best time to enjoy Cambodia.

And to visit the architecture and art from the ancient Khmer empire.

The afternoon rainfalls are short, and they freshest the air and cools down the temperature. And they make everything grow healthy green. Including shrouding the ancient temples and imperial sites in green, softening the outline and enhancing the contrasts.

Making the photography conditions are excellent, the temperature is awesome, the crowds are small, and the cost of food, drinks and accommodation are as pleasant as ever.

For those who enjoys other senses as much, they can look forward to the fresh scent after a shower has cleaned the air, and the fragrance of green nature in it growing season. And the aroma of delicious food made from fresh vegetables and fruit. The sound of birds and insects wakening after a fresh spell is part of natural wonder. And the sound of different sort of monsoon is something to ponder.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2024/01/01/embracing-the-rain-visiting-angkor-park/

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Green season morning in Angkor Park

Prasat Top Khang Kaeut (Eastern Prasat Top) temple is a small Hindu temple with several images of the Hindu God Vishnu. The temple is mostly unvisited and very peaceful. The vegetation makes for some stunning photo opportunities during the green season.

The vegetation has taken over most of the surroundings. During green season it gets extraordinary for photos, with deep, green moss and fresh green all around the still very visible temple.

Religious tolerance in the Khmer Empire
Top Khang Kaeut was built during the reign of Jayavarman VII, the great Buddhist god king, and was initiated in 1295CE. It was dedicated in honour of Mangalartha, a son of a Hindu Brahmin priest/guru kept in high regard by the great king. That gives a glimpse into the religious tolerance and transformation of the Empire into Buddhism as the main religion.

This is the last significant Hindu Temple built in the Khmer Empire before the major change to Buddhism as state religion.

Pleasant green season
The Green season in Cambodia starts in June/July and reaches its peak in September/October. To visit during this time period are among the best time slots to enjoy modern Cambodia.

The afternoon rainfalls are short, and they freshen up the air and chills the temperature. And they make everything grow healthy green.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2024/05/15/the-secret-temple-in-angkor-thom/

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