Day 7: Reflections on the Future

Weather Update: Sunny intervals. High of 30°C

Reflecting on the New Year

The New Year was noisy with fireworks rather than crowds. Despite being busy with various activities, I'm still struggling to get a good night's sleep. This morning, I headed out around 10:30 a.m. to visit the place where Angelina Jolie filmed "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider."

Ta Prohm Temple

I probably enjoyed Ta Prohm more than Angkor Wat. The distances between the temples are vast, and I'm glad I spread my visit over three days instead of cramming it all into one. This way, I could be a spectator rather than just a tourist.

New Year's Day Crowds

New Year's Day may not have been the best choice for visiting, as Cambodia's New Year is in April. However, they still celebrate the Western New Year, and Asian tourists are out in full force. What I loved about Ta Prohm is how nature reclaims what mankind created, with trees clinging to the once-impregnable temple city now crumbling in ruins.

Historical Reflection

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to discover and imagine the past. Visualizing what an impressive city temple this once was, and imagining what cities might look like a thousand years from now, is fascinating. This world might strive for control, but Mother Nature always has a say. It was fantastic to look at how the trees were enveloping the structures around with their roots spreading like tentacles. The last photo shows the bark of one of the trees that seems to be covered in a varnish-like substance.

Trees at Ta Phrom:

The trees at Ta Prohm in Siem Reap, Cambodia are a distinctive feature of the temple complex and include the following species:

Silk-cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra): A large tree with long skirts that trail the ground and roots that coil like reptiles 

Thitpok (Tetrameles nudiflora): A large tree 

Strangler fig (Ficus gibbosa): A smaller tree 

Gold apple (Diospyros decandra): A smaller tree 

Ch'pong: A tree that grows like a Naga from the temple structure

The trees at Ta Prohm are hundreds of years old and have become part of the temple's walls and towers. The trees cast a greenish pall over the temple and filter the sunlight. 

The temple is also known as the "tree root temple" or "tomb rider temple". It's one of the most photographed and visited temple complexes in Cambodia's Angkor region.

Thoughts on Civilization and the Future

Movies often depict the future, and when I was growing up watching "Star Trek," automatic doors were a futuristic concept. Today, they are a reality. Movies from the last 30 years show a grim future because history repeats itself. From the collapse of ancient Rome to the fall of the Mayan empire, evidence from archaeology suggests that five factors have almost invariably been involved in the loss of civilizations: uncontrollable population movements; new epidemic diseases; failing states leading to increased warfare; collapse of trade routes leading to famine; and climate change and today Covid 19 what comes next. Mankind is a destructive force, and while we consider ourselves civilized, we may ultimately destroy ourselves.

Family:

My thoughts are with my children and their children who are my grandchildren today and what the future may hold for them. It is a time to reflect on who we are as people or individuals in this world and whether we need to make changes so our families can have a future that we take for granted.

Reflections

Day 7 was filled with historical exploration and deep reflections on civilization and the future. For those following my journey, I hope these updates provide a vivid picture of the adventures and challenges along the way.

Cheers to the adventures ahead and the stories yet to unfold! 🌏✨🏛️🌳

Stay tuned for more updates as I continue my travels! 🌞✨

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Additional Information: Historical Insights and Nature's Reclamation

Ta Prohm Temple

Nature's Reclamation: Ta Prohm is known for its trees growing out of the ruins, symbolizing nature's reclaiming of mankind's creations.

Filming Location: The temple gained fame as a filming location for "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider."

Civilization's Lessons

Historical Cycles: Civilizations have risen and fallen due to various factors, including population movements, diseases, and warfare.

Nature's Power: Mother Nature always has a way of reclaiming what mankind creates, reminding us of our place in the world.

Thank you for sharing your journey with me. Enjoy the rest of your travels and stay safe! 📸🌏🏛️🌳