Phimai historical park

The Phimai historical park protects one of the most important Khmer temples of Thailand. It is located in the town of Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima province.

The temple marks one end of the Ancient Khmer Highway from Angkor. As the enclosed area of 1020x580m is comparable with that of Angkor Wat, Phimai must have been an important city in the Khmer empire. Most buildings are from the late 11th to the late 12th century, built in the Baphuon, Bayon and Angkor Wat style. However, even though the Khmer at that time were Hindu, the temple was built as a Buddhist temple, as Buddhism in the Khorat area dated back to the 7th century. Inscriptions name the site Vimayapura (which means city of Vimaya), which developed into the Thai name Phimai.

The first inventory of the ruins was done in 1901 by the French geographer Etienne Aymonier. They were put under

governmental protection by announcement in the Government Gazette, Volume 53, section 34, from September 27, 1936.

Most of the restorations were done from 1964 to 1969 as a joint Thai-French project. The historical park, now managed by the Fine Arts Department,

was officially opened by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on April 12, 1989.

Source: Wikipedia

All Photos on this blog, copyright Dj-ingen photography 2011. Click on photo to enlarge!

The temple

Early morning in Mae Sai, Thailand. And the monks have already been awake for hours. Just the sound of birds singing and a few hurrying footsteps towards the opening border to Burma. All is quiet.

All Photos on this blog, copyright Dj-ingen photography 2009. Click on photo to enlarge!

Trekking Sikkim

A few photos of me and my trekking friends trekking Sikkim (north India) on the slopes of the Himalyas for 4 days. First day of the trek we went 2500 meters down a valley to same day later climb 3000 meters. It was for sure the hardest walk I have ever done in my life. We did the trek without a guide. We had a hand drawn map helping us getting to a temple where it´s been say you can stay the night. What we didn´t know was that it be so extremely far. The weather up here is very hot daytime and very cold down to 1 degrees minus at nighttime.
The first photo of Everest is taken before we left Darjeeling for Sikkim a few days later. But the whole trip was one of the best I ever done the scenery is indescribable.

Start of the first day

On the road

Jessica and Raf posing with local kids

Vegetarian breakfast at the temple 6 am yummy!

After the first day of trekking sleeping at a ranger station half way to the temple we are heading to. The cat made me warm and the amazing chinese noodle soup that later came in on the house.

Taking from Everest Darjeeling viewpoint looking into Nepal

On our way in 4 * 4 wheelers into Sikkim

Very steep slopes, Sikkim

Road construction the old way, I am showing some photos that I took while they were working

Up 3500 meters plus, We arrived at the temple and slept one night. In the morning I needed the toilet. So what could I do?

Cold Cold at night. dirt floor enormous spiders and a this bed were my only night companions.

P.s I will later put up some photos of this amazing Mahayana temple we spend the second night night at.

Corp. Ralph (London) Jessica (USA) and Dj-ingen (Sweden) Photography, 2008

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