[Siem Reap, Cambodia] Another day of nothing but temples and ruins but this time without flat batteries. According to the reviews and guides some of the ruins along the grand and petite circuits area are very Tomb Raiderish and they did not disappoint.

Our friendly tak-tak driver met us at 8:30 and we headed out past Angkor which, even in passing, doesn’t fail to impress. First up were two smaller temples (Thomannon & Chau Say Tevoda) both impressive but full of Chinese and Korean tour groups so we whipped around them so that we could get ahead of the tour. We stopped again at the Ta Keo temple. This one was very tall and unusually did not have any bas reliefs. We climbed to the top, looked around and headed back down – we were on a mission.

The highlight so far for us was definitely Ta Prohm. When you have a picture in your mind of Cambodian temple ruins in the jungle then this is it. Only minor restoration work has been done (an inspired decision) allowing the enormous trees to grow and cover the buildings and in some cases hold them together. It’s a large temple complex and we had a ball wandering around the moss covered nooks and crannies. It was reasonably busy but by sitting in a spot for a few minutes we could get a view to ourselves. We took countless photos – especially at the classic spots with tree roots growing all over the lichen covered buildings. It was an awesome spot and one we’ll never forget.

After the high of Ta Prohm we had enough energy to take in another small temple (Banteay Kdei) before stopping for lunch next to the Royal Baths (Srah Srang), which are probably a few square kms (it’s good to be royalty). Not sure how to link the remaining highlights we turned to our guide who recommended a great route. We hopped back on our ride for a quick stop at Pre Rup, the first brick temple we have come across, before heading 30km out of the complex. V preferred Pre Rup to the sandstone ones but I prefer the smooth stuff. Guess that’s the end of the relationship then. LOL.

It took a good 40 minutes to get out to Banteay Srei and it was well worth the trip. It’s a small temple complex but the bas reliefs are very deep and detailed. Entrances are ‘guarded’ by odd monkey sculptures – very Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The buildings themselves have been beautifully restored and when you see the original site photos in the adjacent exhibit you realize what a huge undertaking it was. All these temples when ‘rediscovered’ where merely ruins over-run by dense jungle.

We returned to the Grand circuit and pulled up outside Ta Som – our driver was really earning his fee today. Ta Som was not too interesting with the exception of yet another cool tree at the far entrance. We can’t get enough of these trees as they very slowly, very slowly, overwhelm the temples. The last stop for the day was Preah Khan. By the time we got there it was empty. V and I took a stroll around the large complex enjoying the turning light and reflecting on a truly amazing and long day. We walked our feet off around as many complexes as possible and I think we have the new number one highlight of our trip – Ta Prohm !

[Pictures: Such amazing trees at Ta Prohm. Sim at the ‘postcard’ tree, also Ta Prohm. V in the moss at Preah Khan]

– Posted from my iPhone via WiFi