CAMBODIA ~ National Museum - Phnom Penh ~

... Lovely view of Budhist monks pass the National Museum... Cambodia’s largest historical museum... home of the world’s most important collections of Angkor dynasties... spanning from prehistory to the early 20thC... on exhibit are items as ancient Sanskrit inscribed steles, Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, ancient household utensils and items used for religious ceremonies... with its large collection of important Buddhist and Hindu sculpture, the Museum also functions as a place of worship for the local community... located within a graceful red terracotta structure, the Museum reflects traditional Khmer architecture re-imagined during the colonial period... Thanks a lot Jobbo! (❀◦◡◦)  

© Photo 2007 by Kraig Lieb
The museum building was designed by French architect George Groslier, who later became the first curator of the museum. Construction of the traditional Khmer style building started in 1917. The museum opened its doors in 1920. The National Museum was closed during the reign of the Khmer Rouge from 1975 until 1979.

Stamps:

Khmer Culture - Apsaras

(Issued 12-12-2017)

Sustainable Tourism 

(Issued 19-09-2017)

CAMBODIA ~ Royal Palace - Phnom Penh ~

... Beautiful view of the city’s most iconic landmark and definitely the most popular tourist attraction... this picturesque palace is a mix of Khmer architecture and European designs located near the riverfront... a glimpse of the glorious history and past of Cambodia... with its classic Khmer roofs and ornate gilding, the Royal Palace once dominated the skyline of Phnom Penh... sitting on a platform twenty feet above the grounds, making it an imposing sight... a grand staircase led up to the palace platform... being the official residence of King Sihamoni, parts of the massive palace compound are closed to the public... but still large parts of the grounds and formal gardens can be visit... with a photo of Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, the queen mother in her younger years??😉... Thanks a lot Jobbo!! (✿◠‿◠) (the sound of eating fried Tarantulas makes me shiver😨) But I love to read about local life and habits!👍

© Photo: Kraig Lieb 2008
Cambodia's Royal Palace complex was begun by King Norodom I (ruled 1860-1904) in 1886, when the capital was moved to Phnom. It situated at the Western bank of the cross division of the Tonle Sap River and the Mekong River. The Royal Palace is built on the site of the old citadel and covers an area of 174,870 square metres.

The complex is divided by walls into four main compounds. On the south side is the Silver Pagoda, to the north side is the Khemarin Palace and the central compound contains the Throne Hall and to the west is the private sector or the Inner Court. The buildings of the palace were built gradually over time, and some were dismantled and rebuilt as late as the 1960s. Some older buildings date back to the 19thC.

Stamp:

The 55th Anniversary of Cambodian-Chinese Friendship
(Issued 14-05-2014)

CAMBODIA ~ Floating Village - Chong Kneas ~

... View of a floating village on the northern end of Tonle Sap lake... the largest freshwater lake of Southeast Asia... where close to 1,000 families live and make their living fishing on the lake... its water level varies considerably and the inhabitants of six of the seven villages at Chong Kneas live in houseboats that need to be moved with the changing levels... Chong Khneas, while interesting, is over-touristed and according to many travellers a "tourist trap"...  for the residents of these villages, life on the water is not a cultural tradition that people cherish and wish to preserve... when the villagers were consulted about their living conditions, they said that they would prefer to live on the land and have access to clean water and sanitation as well as have their children go to proper schools instead of the poorly maintained floating school... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella!【ツ】

Photo: © The Victory Angkor Photography, Cambodia
Chong Kneas is a sort of port and long canal close to Siem Reap, flanked by scrubby green-brown banks to the west side. The canal is overlooked by the hill of Phnom Krom to the north on which sits an Angkorian temple dedicated by King Yasovarman around about 900BC.

Tonle Sap Lake is one of the richest inland fishing grounds in the world, home to not only over 200 different species of fish but also to over one million people.

The Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve is a unique ecological phenomenon surrounding the Tonlé Sap or Great Lake of Cambodia. In 1997, Tonle Sap Great Lake was recognized as the first Biosphere Reserve in Cambodia.

Stamp:

Cangzhou Iron Lion and Buchen Temple Lion
(Issued 16-11-2017)

CAMBODIA ~ Sihanouk Ville beaches ~

... Pretty panoramic coastal views... it shows a side of Cambodia I've never seenツ...  this port town has a different look and feel than most Cambodian towns... there is no Colonial architecture or ancient pagodas...  although much of it is now dominated by casinos and tacky commercial centres... it still has the country's best white-sand beaches and is surrounded by several nearby tropical islands,.. tourists can take a boat trip to the nearby islands for diving, snorkeling, and game fishing... Big Thanks dear Ravindra for showing once more a different side of beautiful Cambodia!! \_(♥‿♥)_/→http://lighthousesonpostcards.blogspot.com/

Sihanoukville is a small port town in the southwest of Cambodia. The town is situated about halfway between Thailand and Vietnam on a peninsula on the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand.
It  is Cambodia's youngest city and also the capital of Sihanoukville Province, locally known as Kampong Som.

Sihanoukville is the main deep-sea port of Cambodia. The Port of Sihanoukville, situated in the Bay of Kompong Som is also the only deep-water maritime port of Cambodia.

Stamp:

Cangzhou Iron Lion and Buchen Temple Lion - Joint Issue with China, P.R.
(Issued 16-11-2017)

CAMBODIA ~ Kampong Thom Province ~

... Great view showing how a Cambodian man deals with his overloaded bicycle... trying to keep his balance as he transport his bamboo goods o͜͡o... when it comes to traffic in Cambodia, there are no rules... so in an economy with poor transportation, the vendors come to the people...  although more and more basketry is being replaced by plastic items in the everyday life of the Cambodian, you still find the best bamboo baskets are made near Kampot and small rattan baskets are made around Siem Reap.... Thanks a lot Ravindra!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

"The mobile bamboo market comes calling" Photo © 2009 by Kraig Lieb - © 2015 Purple Moon Publications
Kampong Thom is a province (khaet) of Cambodia. It borders the provinces of Siem Reap,Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Kratie, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, and the Tonle Sap. The provincial capital is Stung Saen a town on the banks of the Stung Sen River.

 Kampong Thom is the second largest province by area. There are a number of significant Angkorian sites in the area, including Prasat Sambor Prei Kuk and Prasat Andet temples. As one of the nine provinces bordering Tonle Sap Lake, Kampong Thom is part of the Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve.

Stamp:

Khmer Culture
(Issued ???)

CAMBODIA ~Life in the countryside-Siem Reap Province ~

... A lovely panoramic local scenery view... a different side of Siem Reap, no Angkor Wat this timeツ... rarely visited by tourists... the vast majority of Cambodians live in the countryside (85 %)... unfortunately, it is one of the poorest countries in Asia... the majority of them live from agriculture...  many cultivates rice but the people are known for their friendliness and warmhearted smiles despite their extreme poverty...Thanks so much dear Ravindra!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo:Ⓒ Mr. Chan Dara Siem Reap Province is considered as the 10th province of Cambodia with Siem Reap as it capital. The south Siem Reap province is also connected with Tonle Sap which is the biggest fresh water lake in Southeast Asia. Phnom Kulen is an isolated mountain massif which provides the highest point 487 meters of Siem Reap province.

The name "Siem Reap" literally means "Siam Defeated", a reminder of the centuries-old conflict between the Siamese and the Khmer. In Siam, the province and its capital were called "Siemmarat", literally meaning "Siam's Territory".

Stamp:

Lighthouses of Cambodia
(Issued 10-10-2017)

CAMBODIA ~ Apsara Dancer- Siem Reap - UNESCO ~

... One more postcard showing Angkor Wat... I wonder if there is something else to see in Cambodia because over the years the only postcards that I've received are from this site o͜͡o... this one is slightly different... no visit to Cambodia is complete without seeing women performing the ancient art of apsara dance, as depicted on the walls of Angkor’s temples...  the training for apsaras dancers is very intensive and must be started at an early age... there are at least 4.500 basic moves and gestures to learn... the hand gestures of the dance are especially iconic, with the wrists and fingers curved back at extraordinary angles... with nice matching stamp... Big Thanks once more Ravindra!!❁◕ ‿ ◕❁

The Apsaras Dance – sometimes written as Apsara Dance – is a classical Khmer performance art inspired by the water and cloud spirit of Hindu and Buddhist mythology.

The Apsaras are a common feature of bas-reliefs on the walls of the Angkor temples near Siem Reap, shown in the same tight-fitting traditional dress, ornate headdress and gilded jewellery the modern dancers wear.




In 2003, the dance was recognized by UNESCO as a ‘Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’


Photo:Ⓒ 20&0 by Kraig Lieb
Ⓒ 2017 Purple Moon Publications

Stamp:

Khmer Culture - Banteay Srei Temple
(19-09-2013)

CAMBODIA ~ South Gate Angkor Thom - Siem Reap - UNESCO ~

... First of two more lovely surprises... a great panoramic view from Angkor Wat, the biggest religious monument in the world... and one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia... the imposing South Gate is the best-preserved of the five gateways into Angkor Thom an the most popular with tourists... it is also oriented toward Siem Reap... Thanks so much Ravindra !!【ツ】

Photo © The Victory Angkor Photography
Angkor Archaeological Park, stretching  over some 400 km2 including forested area. It contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations.

There are 5 ways to enter Angkor Thom - the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire. You can enter via the North Gate, South Gate, East Gate, West Gate and the Victory Gate, which is slightly north of East Gate. 

Stamp:

Lighthouses of Cambodia
(Issued 10-10-2017)

CAMBODIA ~ Ta Prohm - Angkor - UNESCO ~

... Beautiful temple site of towers, closed courtyards and narrow corridors... Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia... and Ta Prohm is one of the most famous temples of Angkor... a battle between  architecture and nature in the Cambodian jungle... visiting it is an exotic travel adventure... a "lost" temple still gripped by the jungle... Bedankt Benny!!【ツ】

Photo: Ⓒ 1994 by Kraig Lieb - Ⓒ 2015 Purple Moon Publications
Ta Prohm (Rajavihara) is the modern name of the temple at Angkor, Siem Reap Province, build during the last decades of the 12th century. It was founded by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university. The King constructed this temple  in honour of his mother.

The whole temple complex is 1 km long, 650m wide. Previously, this temple used to occupy 12.640 people including 18 monks, 2.740 priests, 2.232 maids and 615 dancers.

UNESCO inscribed Ta Prohm on the World Heritage List in 1992.

Stamp:

The 50th Anniversary of ASEAN - Joint ASEAN
(Issued 08-09-2017)

CAMBODIA ~Ta Som Temple-UNESCO~

... Wonderful part of one of the largest religious monuments in the world...Thanks a lot Edna for this nice surprise!! (...Will let you know as soon as my order arrives.:D)

Great stamps: Two tourism stamps : Bayon Temple (Issued 25-06-2001) and Khmer culture "World Cultural Heritage" (Issued 27-07-2012)

Ta Som is a small temple located with many interesting features. It was built in the 12th century to commemorate the father of the king (Buddhist). The structure of this temple has the features of Bayon style. It is a single tower surrounded by three enclosing walls.Although more or less un-restored the temple is still in very good shape, with some very fine details.

Angkor Wat is the largest Hindu temple complex in the world. the whole area as Angkor Wat, the entire area is called Angkor and includes many temples and sites in addition to Angkor Wat. It was the capital of the Khmer empire from the 9th - 14th centuries.

CAMBODIA ~Ankor Wat-UNESCO~

Received a great booklet full wit gorgeous postcards from Angkor Wat. They where send from Malaysia but bought in Cambodia during a vacation there... The outside of the package was also with wonderful stamps!!



Apsara, or heavenly nymphs, decorate Angkor Wat's main temple complex.





Kuk Ta Reach
Kuk Ta Reach, the "Sanctuary of the Royal Ancestor" is the traditional name of the series of porticos in this colonnade leading into the interior of Angkor Vat. Of the many divinities and spirits worshipped here, 'Ta Reach' is by far the most important. Embodied in a colossal four-armed statue worshipped in the portico to the south of the main entrance, Ta Reach's protective powers are known throughout the Angkor region. Over the past decades, local caretakers have restored parts of the Ta Reach statue with cement. In 2003, the cement replica head was replaced by the original that had been stored for safekeeping at the National Museum of Cambodia.



Angkor Wat (Angkor temple) is the central feature of this UNESCO World Heritage Site containing the magnificent remains of the Khmer civilization. Angkor Wat's rising series of five towers culminates in an impressive central tower that symbolizes mythical Mount Meru. Thousands of feet of wall space are covered with intricate carving depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.



Stone temples representing the five peaks of Mount Meru at Angkor Wat, built in the 11th century by Suryavarman the 2nd - Cambodia



The Temple of Banteay Srei at Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Siem Reap, Cambodia



Angkor Thom is the inner royal city, built by the end of the 12th century during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, shortly after Angkor had been conquered and burnt down by the Chams. This inner royal city was built as a quadrangle and bordered by a 100-metres-wide moat and an 8-metres-high wall. Angkor Thom is geometrically oriented: it covers an area which is an exact quadrangle; the sides of this quadrangle run exactly in North-South and East-West direction. A gate opens exactly in the middle of each wall, connecting, through a bridge over the moat, the royal city with the outside.



One of the must see temples in the Ankor Complex is Ta Prohm. Most would remember this temple monastery because of its association to the 'Lara Croft Movie' by Angelina Jolie, and others because of the lasting impression it makes to the visitors. They say that ta Prohm was one of those very few temples chosen by the French explorers that was left in its 'natural state', as an example of how most of Ankor looked on its discovery in the early 19th century.
Ta Prohm is a great ruin living among ancient trees, and is one temple you cannot miss when visiting the Ankor Complex.



Monks outside of the World's Largest Temple Angkor Wat Siem Reap Cambodia



Apsara - female divinity figure wall reliefs inside the main temple of Angkor Wat at Siem Reap, Cambodia


Angkor, the library of the Preah Khan temple

Huge smiling stone carved faces at the Bayon at the Angkor Wat site in Cambodia

CAMBODIA ~Angkor Wat~Unesco~

What a coincidence...Some countries of which you thought never ever to receive a card from... And now I got two from Cambodia in a few days time and also from the same place.... But it still amaze me to see such a beautiful place!! :)

CAMBODIA ~Angkor Wat~Unesco~
Originally uploaded by gerda_dager

Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation—first Hindu, dedicated to Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.

CAMBODIA ~Ankor Wat-UNESCO~

.... Each received card is a little treasure... But finding a new far away country gives me every time such a happy feeling for the rest of the day! :) :) This one from Cambodia must be one of my most beautiful ever... look at those colors, they are amazing! I can't imagine the feeling to stand there and look at it...

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings.

CAMBODIA ~Kmer rice farmer~

CAMBODIA ~Kmer rice farmer~
Originally uploaded by gerda_dager

Sent by Jana. A cambodian Khmer rice farmer