We chartered a minivan (we were actually expecting a sedan) to visit the sites outside Siem Reap. The first stop was Kbal Spean, made famous by the numerous reliefs and sculptures in riverside and on riverbed. The second stop was Banteay Srei, which was built with reddish sandstones instead of the black ones we found at the other temples we visited.

Our final stop was Beng Mealea, located more than 40 Km east of Siem Reap. It was a temple kept in its ruin state and was not covered by the combo ticket. We actually had to climb on the collapsed structures to make our way through the ruins.

The waterside reliefs of the Khmer legends at Kbal Spean.


Yoni and Lingam sculptures below water.


Lingam covered the entire riverbed.


The trail at Kabl Spean ended at this waterfall.


Visitors entering Banteay Srei.


A guide was describing designs of the buildings at Banteay Srei.


The sculptures on the buildings of Banteay Srei had more details than those found in the other temples.


Banteay Srei surrounded by a moat.


The collapsed gate of Beng Mealea in the woods.


Climbing was the only way to visit the structures of Beng Mealea.


This pile of stones used to be the central tower of Beng Mealea.


It was easy to climb to the walls and rooftops.


There were still people cleaning the ground of the temple.


An old tree grew through the ruins of an even older building


The Next Day