This morning we arranged for Cholna to collect us from the hotel at 8.30am so that we could start ticking off the the last of the temples on Steves list of 12 Temples. First we went back to Angkor Thom to view Baphuon Temple. With it being part of the Angkor were not sure how we missed it on Tuesday? It sits between Bayon and Phimeanakis, but I guess we missed it because we couldnt see it through the jungle from either! Thats the good thing about being here for a week, we dont have to do our temple viewing like a military operation, we can go back again and again when we discover that there is something else we want see.
We didnt see this temple when we were here in 2010 because it was undergoing restoration. It took nearly half a century and many failed attempts at restoration before Baphuon opened to tourists in 2011. Apparently it was put back together like a giant Lego set with the temple in a particularly tumbledown state before the restoration, or should that be rebuilding, took place.
either side. The gardeners were working very hard this morning removing water weed from the huge pond on the right hand side of the temple. They were waist deep in the water in their uniform of black pants and green polo shirts, wearing their safety footwear (flip flops, ha, ha) hacking away at the weed with giant machetes. What a job?!! Most of the gardeners had a plastic bag hanging from them in which they were collecting snails. It seems that finding a feed of snails is a bonus of the job.
We climbed the terraces at Baphuon Temple which gave us quite a workout! When we were climbing back down Cathy and I decided to climb down the stairs backwards because they were as steep as a ladder and with tiny treads. Face forward and very, very slowly seemed the safest way to proceed. At least doing it this way I spied a spider in its distinctive cross shaped web on the way down. A young couple got stuck behind us, but waited patiently to descend. The two of them skipped down the stairs like mountain goats once the old ladies cleared the way!
in front of the South Kleangs. We didnt visited the Kleangs, north or south, specifically, but each time we have been in the Angkor we have seen them from the road. Kleang means ‘storehouse in Khmer, but scholars think they may be the archaeological remnants of royal residences, perhaps because the door bears an inscription of an oath of loyalty to the monarch? The North Kleang was first built using wood, but later reconstructed in stone. The South Kleang was only ever partially built. Regardless of their purpose, they are an attractive group of ruins situated opposite the Terrace of the Elephants.
Our plan was to visit East Mebon Temple next which is over to the east of Siem Reap. Cholna gave us another one of his tips, suggesting that we visit Neak Poan on the way. Neak Poan is a small Buddhist temple built in the Khmerian era (late on an aritificial island. Cholna told us that the bridge to the island is new. It was a lovely sturdy bridge built from fake wooden planks which allowed us to access the island with dry feet! This temple involved lots of water with the island surrounded
by water and then the temple itself surrounded by a pool. The main temple is flanked by four chapels guarded by Balaha, the horse king. This proved to be another great tip from Cholna as the temple was very picturesque.
And on to East Mebon Temple. This temple is yet another Hindu temple mountain of the Khmerian era. It is made from brick, sandstone, laterite and stucco three enclosures and five towers which symbolize Mount Meru. The temple is arranged over three levels and features carvings representing Indra, Shiva and Airavata. The most distinctive features here are the massive elephants guarding the tiers. The elephants were remarkably well preserved or well restored??
With lunchtime approaching it was time to retreat from the heat and return to the hotel for lunch and some pool time. Cholna returned at 4.
