Skywatch Friday: Rainy Adventures

For this week’s Skywatch Friday, here’s a glimpse of the Bayon temple at the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap last taken last year. Trees burst from the ancient stones, and the moss-covered sculptures seem even more enigmatic under the dramatic sky.

The video above shows the temple courtyard where I stood. While I opted to admire the exterior during that time (I’ve seen them already before and those slippery grounds can be treacherous!), the rain truly creates a different atmosphere than visiting during the summer season. The sound of raindrops on the ruins is strangely calming, and the clouds add a touch of drama to the landscape.

Prior to Bayon temple, I explored Preah Khan first under a sky alive with rain! You can read my post about how Preah Khan Temple awakens in the rain.  The downpour only amplified the sense of adventure, making the exploration even more thrilling.

Skywatch Friday: Wishing for clear skies

Wishing for clear skies? Me too! This week’s Skywatch Friday entry takes you to the Chroy Changvar Bridge, also known as the Japanese Bridge, overlooking the Mekong River.

While today’s forecast is filled with clouds and rain and thunderstorm threats, this photo taken last week captures a moment of serenity (before the morning rush hour commences) with a vibrant blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. The reflections dancing on the water add to the tranquility of the scene. It’s hard to imagine this is the skyline now compared to when I first set foot in Cambodia, where only the Royal Palace and other temples’ spires and trees dominated the landscape. The transformation has been rapid and quite remarkable! 

Skywatch Friday: Phnom Penh Downpour

Last Wednesday, Phnom Penh put on quite the show (or, should I say, downpour?)!

As you can see from the photo, the sky has gone full-monsoon mode. Those dark clouds definitely lived up to the rainy season reputation. To give you a better sense of the atmosphere, I’ve also included a short video clip below. Take a peek and you’ll see streets drenched in rain, and vehicles zipping by.

More sky photos at Skywatch Friday blog.