Tokay Gecko

One more marvelous thing seen at the ruins of Bayon (see Bayon, Painting at Bayon, and Incense Offering) in Cambodia: a large Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko L.) enjoying the shade afforded by the small crack between stones.   

Painting at Bayon

Came across this young man sitting in one of the shady, back passageways at the ruins of Bayon (see Bayon) in Angkor Thom. I didn't ask, but I assume he sells them to tourists. Amazing detailed and carefully rendered. Fine work. [NOTE: In addition to his paints and brushes and paper, he brought a scrap of pink Hello Kitty fabric to sit on].

Bayon Postcard

Hard to believe that a little over three months ago I was standing in front of the temple of Bayon (see Bayon) with my son. Sigh. Sky is amazing. [NOTE: This image really does look like it came from a postcard].

Incense Offering

Scene in one of the interior rooms at the temple of Bayon (see Bayon) at Angkor Wat. Love the row of seated Buddhas carved at the top, the curl of incense smoke, and the little swatch of saffron cloth on the altar. [NOTE: Off to Hawaii tomorrow for two weeks. Yippeee!]

Bayon

The temple of Bayon in the Angkor Thom complex was built by Buddhist King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. The temple feature 54 towers decorated with enormous, smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

There are a total of 216 faces of Avalokiteshvara at Bayon, and at least a dozen of them are visible at any time as you walk through the ruins. Unlike the more typical representations of the Bodhisattva of Compassion (see Avalokiteshvara and Quan Âm), the faces at Bayon look - understandably - very much like Jayavarman VII himself.