Angkor - Of Ruins & Roots (15)

Ta Prohm

Angkor - Of Ruins & Roots (12)

Ta Prohm

Angkor - Of Ruins & Roots (11)

Ta Prohm

Angkor - Of Ruins & Roots (10)

Ta Prohm

Angkor - Of Ruins & Roots (8)

Kapok Tree

Two main species of trees are seen growing within the Angkor ruins: the kapok tree and the strangler fig tree.

Also called Java Kapok, Silk Cotton and Ceiba, the kapok tree grows to 60 - 70m tall. It has a very substantial trunk of up to 3m in diameter with buttresses. Its branches are sometimes covered by large robust thorns.

While Cambodian find the tree mostly useless as it is too soft for construction, the fibre obtained from its seed pods is light, buoyant and resistant to water. It was used to be employed as an alternative filler in mattresses, stuffed toys as well as for insulation and in life jackets.

Angkor - Of Ruins & Roots (4)

Ta Prohm - Missing roof over a tower

Angkor - Of Ruins & Roots (2)

Ta Prom

I was just watching a replay of Lara Croft - Tomb Raiders and recognised this particular area as Angelina Jolie was following a little girl through the temple to find a side entrance to the secret chambers...

Ta Prohm Temple - Cambodia

Over 100 years kapok trees tower over the ruins of the temple and a soft green light penetrates throught the leaves.