Bayon is the first temple we visited and it is one of the busiest temples too.

Built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the official state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII, Bayon has over 200 smiling faces on the upper terrace and crowds of visitors are here to get their favourite shots with the Buddha.

Arrived at the east gate, there are two rows of statues on each side of the gate. Each row of the statues are all holding one 7 headed naga. 7 is the said to be the most powerful number is both Hindu and Buddism and all the nagas have no tails to represent there is no end, but only eternity.

As a first impression, Bayon is like a giant maze. All the galleries, hallways and doors behind doors connecting the temple together. One can easily get lost exploring. However no matter where you are, you can always see the smiling faces, and you know you are not alone.

My favourite part has to be the upper terrace, but minus the hundreds of visitors if possible of course. Being here looking at all the 200 smiles, the serene smiles fill my body with strength, my mind with potential, my heart with power. Nothing can not be overcame.

After discussing with our tuk-tuk driver about next day’s sunrise watching, we have decided to see the sunrise from Bayon. It will not give us the befamous shot of the Angor Wat and the rising sun, but we will have Bayon for our own for those brief moments and escaping from the 800+ visitors gathering at the Angor Wat front pool. And this is the best decision we have ever made.

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