After another filling breakfast (with tea served up in a beer tankard) we set off at 8am again with the group back to the temple complex.
(tea served in a beer mug!)
Siem Riep is only about 7km from the entrance to Angkor but our destination was to be one of the temples to the very north, close to where most of the stone was quarried. The actually quarry for the temples was 50km away which is quite a distance when you see how big the temples are and how much was used. They used elephants to move a lot of it.
On the way we were told we could possibly take an elephant ride from the bridge to Bayon temple in Angkor Thom. However you can’t book ahead so we were told it might not be possible. Our guide got out at the Elephant ticket office and after a few minutes of conversation came back to the bus to advise us there weren’t any elephants free. We were gutted but told it might be possible to get a shorter ride around Bayon. None of us were hopeful so it was a great surprise when we were told one Elephant was free so we could take it in turns to do a lap of the temple.
Leigh really wanted to visit this temple again so we happy to wait our turn while we took another look around. It was hotter and busier this time, but nice not to have to follow the guide. We took in the magnificent giant heads again and Leigh bought a drawing and painting from some local artists who were working on new art at the top of the temple.
Then it was our turn on the Elephants. Our one was called Cheetah and was 48 years old. We did ask our driver some more information but we only got a few grunts after this so gave up. It was great fun but took a little getting used to. If two people are on the elephant, you sit either side of its back on the saddle and as you can imagine, my weight and Leigh's don’t balance. Leigh thought the driver was pulling his side down which was why he wasn’t too keen to chat!
(This is Cheetah and our driver – see how the saddle hangs out each side of the elephants back. Leigh & I had to move around so it was as balanced as possible)
(It seems you drive an elephant by your feet on its ears!)
(One of the shots we were able to get of Bayon from Cheetahs back)
After this we were back on the bus and on the way to the lady temple.
It is a small temple in comparison to Angkor Watt and Bayon but the carvings were very intricate and because they used different stone to the other temples, it hasn’t eroded as much. It has also kept much of its original colour. I really liked this temple as you could see the moat all the way around it and its been restored quite well so you have a good idea what it would have looked like in its day.
On the way back to Siem Riep we stopped at a Landmine museum which was very small but gave you some idea how badly the country has been affected by mines. Its estimated there are millions still un-detonated around the country but thankfully they have been cleared from most of the tourist areas.
The rest of the day was free time, so Leigh & I asked to be dropped off at Angkor Wat as the rest of the group headed back to town. We were dropped off on the road behind the complex (east entrance)
The East Gate House – L:
We had a lovely walk in over the moat and through the grounds behind it where there were hardly any tourists. There were plenty of trees to provide shade so it was actually quite cool and very peaceful.
We made our way to the temple and was surprised to see it was quite empty. Most of the tourists had probably headed back to Siem Riep for lunch so we had the place almost to ourselves.
Where’s Leigh?…
We strolled around, and just soaked up the atmosphere. Although we’d learnt lots the day before with the tour guide, it did feel a little bit rushed and we both had wanted a bit of time just to wander around.
By this time we both felt a bit ‘templed out’ so we took a tuk tuk back to Siem Riep to the old market area to get some lunch/dinner. We opted for Mexican this time and sampled the local nachos (very nice).
We soaked up some of the atmosphere of pub street (main street in Seim Riep for drinking/eating/going out). It was getting busier all the time we were there, full of travellers and locals either begging or offering a tuk tuk ride.
On the way to the old market we couldn’t resist a stop at an ice cream parlour. We indulged in a sundae each which left us completely stuffed.
We were ready to head back to the hotel for a shower and chill out. We had just enough energy to stop off at the old market for a last few souvenirs and then we flagged down a tuk tuk and headed back.
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