Quabidt
In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight Anyone remember that popular tune? Not sure if lions sleep in the jungles we visit around the world (in pictures at least), but the jungle itself is sure eating into everything in its way: cars, planes, statues, temples, churches. Nothing seems safe from the clutches of nature.
And what’s most surprising is some jungles are not that far from home. Find out why some plants grow peacefully on the outside of buildings while others take over and speed up a structure’s decay in The Walls Are Alive.
Temples taken over by the jungle:
1. The Ta Prom temple complex in Angkor, Cambodia surely offers some astounding views of tree versus structure. At a closer look, this picture is even a bit scary, given how the trees are advancing from the top and from the ground.
Divemasterking2000
2. This amazing detail was captured in Cambodia at the Angkor Wat temple complex. Notice how the tree has taken on the colour of the temple ruin (or is it the other way round?) and seems to be part of the structure, like a giant snake peeking down from the top. Don’t miss how the roots have pushed the stone blocks apart (top right).
Lex Linghorn
3. In this picture of another structure in Ta Prom, it looks like the tree first destroyed the temple and then changed its mind by deciding to form a second temple entrance.
4. Here’s a beautiful example of the power of a kapok tree in Angkor, Cambodia. Doesn’t it look like a thin, white hand gripping the wall tightly?
Kango Traveler
5. These statues are peeking out from under a tree in Wat, Cambodia.
A_of_Doom
6. Even this Buddha statue couldn’t escape the Banyan tree’s grip in Bangkok, Thailand. But being Buddha, he seems quite content with it.
Unknown photographer
7. Even in Mexico, the Mayan ruins in Palenque have fared no better than the others: they are slowly being eaten up by the greedy jungle.
Raphael Bick
Vehicles swallowed by the jungle:
8. Even vehicles are not safe from the clutches of the jungle – this jeep looks like it’s been there a while. Notice how one tree root has grown around it.
Eve Margrett
9. This plane, too, has seen better days. It is now a rotting attraction in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize.
Tik_tok
10. What looks like the skeleton of a truck was actually once a plane too. What we can see here are the tail, elevators, rudder and the tail gunner of a plane used in World War II and crashed in Guam.
11. Even boats are devoured by the jungle like this one here in Nicaragua.
Steven House
Houses in the jungle:
12. Okay, this is technically not a jungle though residents of Georgia, USA might know better but here, a creeper called kudzu has taken over so completely that one can barely make out wthat the vegetation is covering (it was a house).
Jack Anthony
13. This stone house in Cairns, Australia is still maintained by someone (notice the flower pots in the front) but don’t be fooled, the rainforest is approaching fast!
Stephan Brumme
14. Someone got creative with this jungle shelter in Cambodia.
Andy Brouwer
15. This structure in Argentinia could have been a house. Don’t the tree roots look like stick figures climbing up? Framed by these blue flowers, it looks more like art than a building now.
Frank
16. Here’s a house in the city centre of Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. Are the roots trying to imitate the balcony design?
Bobbie Nystrom
17. This house is not strictly in the jungle (more likely somewhere in Canada) but it just looks to picturesque. Must be good insulation, too.
Sunny and Vincent
Jungle churches:
18. This church ruin can be found on Ross Island, part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The tree has taken over the church tower but also created a new roof.
Placebo
19. Here’s a church ruin in a scenic spot in Corsica.
D. Seebeck
20. This overgrown church window is too picturesque to be missed.
Brian Micky
