Cambodia Day 4 Part 2

After touring most of the Angkor Thom region, we departed via the Victory Gate and proceeded to Thommanom. It is a much smaller temple and we did not spend much time there.

Thommanom

Our next stop is a temple mountain ruin, Ta Keo. The structure is basically rather similar to Angkor Wat but there are much lesser carvings and less impressive. We climbed up all the way to the peak and it was quite high indeed.

Ta Keo


Central Peak of Ta Keo


Derrick and Terence photographed descending the temple mountain

We did not stop by some of the more minor temples and we proceeded to Ta Prohm. This temple is dedicated to one of the Angkorian kings, Jayavarman VII's mother. The distinct difference between this temple and the others is that the jungle overgrowth is not entirely cleared and some of the ruins were intentionally unrestored.

The entrance of Ta Prohm


Unrestored ruins of Ta Prohm


Me, Meibin and Terence among the rubble


Look at these intricate carvings!


A tree consuming part of the building

We got lost in the large monastic complex and got out from the entrance at the other side instead. We only realized after we cannot find our driver and the vehicle. We then spent 15 minutes walking to the other side of the temple.

Banteay Kdei was our next stop and we did not spend much time there as we were rather tired from all the walking, all the climbing and all the sweating. We walked to the other side of the temple which is near a temple by the water, Srah Srang.

Banteay Kdei


Srah Srang


A picturesque view of the square lake at Srah Srang


Meibin, Derrick and I at Srah Srang

The temple by the lake is serene and beautiful, with steps leading down to the water surface. The afternoon sun is scorching and we did not spend a lot of time there since the water temple is quite small in fact. We made our way back to Siem Reap for lunch.

Along the way back to Siem Reap

We headed to Dead Fish Tower, a restaurant near the city centre. Alligator meat is sold there and they are rearing alligators at the back of the restaurant.

Alligators in Dead Fish Tower


Lunch at Dead Fish Tower

End of Part 2 (12 noon to 3 pm)