Bayan Tree Smothers Temple
Siem Riep, Cambodia 2011
The roots of a Banyan tree hold an ancient temple in their clutches. Although the trees were slowly destroying the temples (now the site is under restoration) they added to the mystery when I was there in 2007. Then you could wander at will and imagine yourself being there when westerners first discovered these ancient cities hidden in the jungle. That was when Jack Kennedy was in the White House and Mrs. Kennedy was photographed next to some of the ruins. It was that photograph in a news magazine that planted the desire to see Angkor Wat for myself.
The Cambodians knew the ruins were in the jungle all the time and they find it a bit irksome when they hear others say that they discovered the ruins.
Siem Riep Temple Courtyard