I’ve been contemplating Cambodia lately — I’ve been in contact with a non-profit there and will start to help out online, but I’m considering moving there to help out more in my spare time after work. There still isn’t much of a plan as I’m still looking into my options for the next few months or so. Nonetheless, there are great memories from my all-to-brief trip through Cambodia.
On my second day in Siem Reap, I took a group tour to Banteay Srei and a few other temples. I was fortunate to meet a Dutch expat living in China on the tour who agreed to take a rather long bike ride through the countryside around Angkor Wat the following day.
Banteay Srei, a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva that was constructed in the 10th century, is much further from the main temples of the Angkor Wat complex — it was a long way past the Landmine Museum, which was about 20 miles from Siem Reap. This was the temple at which a monk used a cell phone to take a picture of me — and I still think is one of the funniest moments I’ve had while traveling.
More importantly, this temple is remarkably well preserved — the sandstone artwork is better defined than at other temples in the area. Of course, much of it has also been reconstructed.
