Prasat Phanom Rung (Thailand)

I discovered Prasat Phnom Rung thanks to a friend I was staying with in the area. It is a little jewel of Khmer architecture. The temple dates from the 10th century, from a time when the Khmer Empire extended over most of what is now modern day Thailand. This historical complex is located on a hill from where there are views out over the countryside of Isan, an agricultural region of Northern Thailand.

I didn't know what to expect when I arrived at the site and I was impressed when I saw the long path and the steps along it leading to this very well preserved temple. I'd already been to visitthe temples in Angkorand therefore had something with which to compare the building's architectural style.

I was greeted by statues of lions . The ponds oneach side demonstrate the mastery that those who created them had over the elements all that time ago, able to transformthe crater of this ancient volcano into a water source as they did. A visit to this temple is definitely an off-the-beaten-track experience ; there are plenty of people there, but most of them are Thais interested, like me, in exploring and learning about their heritage.