Not like the old days

I'm still disappointed about the tree-felling at Preah Palilay in Angkor Thom. Not to mention the monk who asked me for cash-for-photos. But I'm not surprised about either. The trees must be having a detrimental effect on the chimney-style shrine, though they've left the roots where they are which is a bit puzzling. As for the monk, life as a novice isn't a bed of roses and trying to cash in on a tourist's predilection for photos of orange-clad monks at temples is a good scam if you can get away with it, you just don't expect it from a monk. As for the atmosphere of Preah Palilay, yes it's not the same but it's still a nice temple in a quiet, pleasant corner of the city of Angkor Thom where just a few hundred metres away the hordes of asian tour groups are milling around the Terrace of the Leper King and the Bayon. Here's a then and now look at Preah Palilay.

Then...(courtesy of Nick Ray)

and now...(courtesy of me)