Clem picked us up and we drove out to Banteay Srei, the "Citadel of the Women." The carvings were very intricate, though again, there were so many tourist groups it was hard to admire them in peace.
While we were walking around, we heard music playing.
Traditional Cambodian Music played by Landmine Victims.
After Banteay Srei we went (on the recommendation of Sarah and Meaghan) to the Landmine Museum. A Cambodian man nicknamed Aki-Ra, who had been a child soldier, started the museum after he started de-mining places in Cambodia after the wars. You can go to the website here: www.cambodialandminemuseum.org. The facility also serves as a boarding house and school for Cambodian children.
Simulated minefield.
After the landmine museum, we continued on the Big Circuit to Banteay Samre. We had lunch in a little restaurant across from the temple.
Inside the courtyard.
Heading back towards the main cluster of temples, we stopped at Ta Som. This one was my favorite. It looked similar to many of the other temples inside, but there were hardly any people there except a few local guides. When you leave the very back of the temple and turn back, this is what you see. The tree is enormous, and it both strangles and supports the back door.
"Baum schön" - the German girl I give you as a reference (bottom right).
Close up.
Sticks and stones.
We got back in the tuk-tuk and headed to Preah Khan next. Here's a panorama from inside the temple. The music you hear is another Cambodian music troupe, playing in the distance. Sorry the quality isn't fantastic (it's a bit wobbly), but I think you get the idea. :)
We wanted to watch the sunset from up high, so Clem took us to Phnom Bakheng. You can take an elephant up to the temple on the top of the hill, or you can take the safety path. We took the safety path. Those elephants looked pretty miserable.
At the temple.
Sunset.
