Cambodia 2 - The Jungle Takes Over

This morning we decided to get on road very early (but not as early as we would have needed to be to see the sun rising over some temple). 

The goal was Banteay Srei which was quite far, a bit more than 20 km north of Angkor.  We were in the tuk tuk of course which does not go as fast as a car or bus on country roads.  As well, these roads were a tad dustier so eyeglasses were useful to keep the dust from our eyes as we went.

Once there though this small, pretty, rosy coloured temple was worth the long route.  In my opinion this temple is the prettiest, like a tiny pink jewel box.  

The detail is extraordinary

The detail is exquisite, and the fact that it remains so detailed to this day is a mystery (to me).  Banteay Srei is very old, having been built in the second half of the 10^th century (somehow they know that it was consecrated on April 22, 967).  It was built to honour the Hindu God Shiva.  Because of the distance, and perhaps the time, the crowds were small and the setting was serene.

Later we stopped by Neak Pean another small cute temple that resides in the middle of a square pond.  To get to this one there is a very long boardwalk over wetlands coming in from the road.  This temple dates from late in the 12^th century and is considered the same style as Bayon which we had seen the day prior.

Ta Som was also on the list.  This temple dated from the end of the 12^th century and the beginning of the 13^th, and it suffered destructive forces in the 15^th or 16^th century.  The coolest thing here is of course the jungle taking it over.

Full of rubble

Same deal with Ta Prohm which was also built in the late 12^th century and early 13^th century.  Clearly a tremendous amount of building was done in that time period.  Like Ta Som the jungle is taking over, and it is highly visited by tourists because some of Tomb Raider was filmed here.  Maybe this looks familiar?

Oddly Angelina Jolie is a thing here.  Her image is on occasional posters (though it did not look very professionally done, and she might not be aware), even on a side of a building (along with that of Brad Pitt) and photographs are posted here and there, almost like a photo gallery of who ate in a specific restaurant.

These temples where the jungle has taken over were, in many ways, the most fun.  The drama of nature taking over and destroying man’s work is breath taking.

Somewhere along the way we of course stopped for some lunch.  Typically smallish restaurants are set ups near most of the larger busier temples where one can get some food.  Sometimes there is also a resting room full of hammocks.  (no kidding)

Actual rest staion

We were invited to have a rest after our meal if we liked (we did not) but I think many of the tuktuk drivers find it a comfortable spot to chill while they wait out the lunch service of their clientele.

Finally we stopped at a completely different type of temple called Pre Rup.  This one looks quite different and has a lot of stairs.  Many, many stairs.  It is old, built in the middle of the 10^th century.  It also uses brick creates a different look.

Oh the stairs ....