We decided to head to the smaller temples around Angkor first. Many people said that seeing the main event (Angkor Wat) first meant that you were ‘templed out’ when looking at the all smaller temples after. Kethana had organised us a local TukTuk driver who worked for the restaurant to be our guide.
Heading off at 7am meant we avoided the crowds, (who would be at Angkor Wat) as well ass the heat. Of the 10 complexes we visited there were some definite highlights.

Ta Prohm or ‘The Tomb Raider temple’ – made famous by the movie, this 12th century temple has been taken over by the forest, with huge trees growing out if the structure and their roots enveloping doorways. It was undergoing extensive reconstruction and restoration by artisans recruited from the training workshops in town we had visited.

Pre Rup – This temple was different in that it was constructed from bricks rather than the easily recognisable sandstone blocks. Its elephant motifs and Apsaras carving were impressive.

The Terrace of elephants – a 350m long promontory, this area is where the king viewed processions, and ceremonial events. Its wall was carved with incredible detail depicting battles won and stories about the gods. It also featured a wall of ‘dancers’, each with a unique facial expression, position or dress.

Behind the promontory was a large area of jungle, from which imposing temples emerged. This area is known as Angkor Thom, a huge collection of temples ringed by a huge earth wall and series of defensive gates. The area was incredibly quiet and the shade a welcome relief as the temperature topped out at 32 degrees.
The Baphuon was an impressive temple, a huge sandstone walkway leading up to a multilayered collection of hall ways. Deconstructed in the 1960’s in order for restoration work to begin, the plans and details of all the structure was lost due to the Khmer Rouge period. Extensive UNESCO restoration has therefore take place since, carefully rebuilding this complex.
Having done 7 hours of temple viewing and as the temperature continued to climb, we headed back to town for a much needed break, and an afternoon exploring the river side area.

Siem Reap has changed a great deal even in the last few years. The centre of town is now a backpacker focus, with cheap restaurants, Thai massage lounges dotted all over the place, and cheap draft beer. That evening we headed out to small collection of bars with Bruce and Kethana, located down a small alley (nearly impossible to find when we went a few days later). The $5 cocktails at ‘Miss Wong’ were great, the theme modelled after Chinese Russian pop art. Next door was ‘The yellow submarine’, a very clique Beetles inspired place with lots of memorabilia.