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Friday, May 22, 2015

TRAVEL: Ta Nei Temple

Ta Nei Temple is one of the least popular temples in Angkor Wat, Siem Reap and is in fact not included in the usual temple tours. Maybe because its small in size compared to the other temples and you have to pass by a very long stretch of dirt road to go there. But its on my list of temples to visit in Angkor Wat so skipping is not an option.


The road that led my friend and I to Ta Nei temple was eerily quiet except for the birds, the insects, and the rustle of leaves. Even the sun can't seem to find its way there properly other than some persistent rays. Of course, our tuktuk driver is not really happy of being dragged into this not-on-the-tour-map temple but since we're paying, all he can do is grumble. Actually, I think he's been to Ta Nei before since he knows the road, or maybe he just followed the signs.



We had the temple all to ourselves when we arrived and there's a feeling of excitement and archaic discovery that I haven't felt at the other popular temples like Angkor Wat, Bayon, and the hugely popular Ta Prohm (thanks to Tomb Raider movie).


Unlike the other temples wherein restoration is being done the modern way, Ta Nei's co-restorer (Japan), simply moves the pieces back to where it used to be and inconspicuously add some metal brace here and there so that it won't fall off.


Comparing to the grandeur of Angkor Wat and Bayon, and being awed by Ta Prohm temple, Ta Nei may just appear as ruins and seemly forgotten but my friend and I both agreed that this is our favorite temple. The vibe here is different and make you feel that you are a part of that ancient time. It's like being in a time machine and ending up in Ta Nei temple.


These girls are the daughters of Ta Nei's caretaker. They live on a small hut nearby when we went around the temple. We had a hard time communicating with them because they can't speak English. Their father doesn't speak English also and is a bit shy. The girls followed us around a bit and seem to find us amusing especially when we use the "selfie" stick to take photos.




Read more about Angkor Wat and Bayon

Read more about Ta Prohm

Read more about Angkor Wat temples at A Glimpse of Ancient Angkor 

28 comments:

  1. Nice place. I hope I can go there someday, too.

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  2. I was supposed to go to Siem Reap before I got pregnant kaso hindi natuloy. :) Hehehe! Would love to go there some other time.

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  3. I'd love to take a trip with my family and have an experience like this with them.

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    Replies
    1. I'm sure your family will enjoy touring Siem Reap temples :)

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  4. I would love to come in here and experience this piece of history for myself someday... :)

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    1. Book a flight na .. we traveled via Cebupac so we're able to save on airfare :)

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  5. wow, it really looks like it's been left for centuries. I wonder how it looked before.

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    Replies
    1. Honestly, upon seeing this temple, there's a feeling that you discovered it yourself ...

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  6. nice, been wanting to visit this place!

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  7. My sister's been there. Kakainggit lang kasi I was suppose to be there too with her and her hubby. Yun nga lang, buntis na ako with my baby akay naudlot. maybe in the future =)

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  8. haven't been to any of these places, but thanks for taking us there with your post.

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  9. I seem to be reading a lot about Cambodia recently! You're like the second or third blogger who has posted about their visit to a Cambodian temple. I really have to go one day!

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    Replies
    1. Its a sign that you''ll be visiting Cambodia soon :)

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  10. I'd love to visit this with my husband someday.

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  11. I love Cambodia! I miss the temples!

    xoxo
    MrsMartinez

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    Replies
    1. Aside from the temples ... I miss the food in Cambodia also :)

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  12. My husband loves to travel and is a huge fan of history. He will for sure love to visit this place. I hope someday, we'll be able to tour Cambodia too! Thanks for sharing! At least, I was able to experience Cambodia virtually.. Haha!:)

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    1. Check the Cambodia guide books.. you'll really find their history amazing :)

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  13. This place is in my bucketlist of places to visit... :)

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  14. I wanna go to Cambodia but the husband doesn't want to. Hehehe. Would love to visit the country soon and include this in the itinerary :)

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    1. Going to Cambodia especially if you plan to visit the temples entails a lot of walking under the sun and rain, up and down the temples ... I doubt if my hubby will survive also ... hehe

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  15. I haven't traveled outside the country yet, but I know this is something that will happen soon. If that plan materializes, I would love to travel to Cambodia with my family and visit these temples.

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  16. My sister visited Ankor Wat last Summer. I wasn't able to go with her because I was pregnant at that time.

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  17. Hubby ran the Angkor Watt Marathon last year and just like you said, the temples are great!

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