Nearly finished...

These are more modern Buddhist statues from the central sanctuary of Wat Phu

I know some of you are thinking, when will the Wat Phu extravaganza ever come to an end? Well, it will be fairly soon, but it's such a great temple, located on the side of a mountain in Southern Laos, that it deserves its place in the spotlight for a few days more. These photos are taken from the upper level, in and around the central sanctuary. The view looking down to the foot of the mountain and the ancient structures below and on past the barays filled with water, is well worth the hot climb. More views from the top to follow very soon. In the meantime, please enjoy.

A five-headed naga head inside the central sanctuary, taken from one of the causeways

This is a false door from the ruined 'library' building next to the sanctuary

A map detailing the sanctuary and the spring that sits above, and feeds, the main cella

Can you spot it? - its a crocodile carved into a large boulder, behind the sanctuary, believed to date from Angkorean times

On another nearby boulder, this elephant carving, with tusks and trunk, is under attack from green moss

A view from the upper level of Wat Phu, looking down on the southern palace and causeways