Since the Angkor Wat temple complex is very significant in Cambodia – it’s on their flag – it is also a local traditional to see the sunrise over Angkor Wat (at least for us tourists). So we did it – got up around 5:30am to get a tuk-tuk to be at Angkor Wat by 6am. Not only was the sunrise nice but the experience of seeing people from so many countries in one place, enjoying the experience their own way was pretty great.
After breakfast and spending a few hours setting up our next destination, including a trip to a tour office, I set out in the afternoon heat to explore a few more temples (Dirk stayed at the hotel – too hot!).
I wanted to see a 9th century, red sandstone temple, Prasat Kravan, only about 8 miles away so negotiated with our local tuk-tuk driver and off I went. It was unusual in that there was just one building with towers so only took a few minutes to explore. The bas-relief was different – it was built out with carved bricks!
Since the site was small I searched for another nearby temple site and the driver suggested Banteay Kdei and off we went – only about 10 minutes away. This was a Buddhist temple for monks built around the same time as the Bayan temple and the front gate also has faces in the stone. However this complex is in bad shape and is undergoing restoration. There are two galleries with towers and three other buildings as well. I again enjoyed the bas-relief art as well as the woodsy area with a stream below.
I was quite warm when I returned to the hotel and quickly went to the pool. Then rested and went out for a special treat later… see part 2 of Feb 11.
2023 Travels of Pat and Dirk in Vietnam and other S.E. Asia countries 