Beng Malea

Today we hired a car (with driver) for the hour or so drive to Bantey Shrei. This is one of the more beautiful temples. Much smaller than Angkor Wat it is carved from pink sandstone and the carvings are more delicate and detailed. Because it is smaller it is a little more easily comprehended and hence perhaps even more beautiful than Angkor Wat.

After spending time at Bantey Shrei we headed off to Beng Malea. This is still covered by jungle and remains a ruin. You need to climb over fallen stones and tree covered ruins to make your way around it. Boy O loved the adventure component of this temple. I thought this one of the more beautiful temples with the jungle trying to reclaim it. I understand that this is what the other major temples were like prior to being restored. I hope they keep Beng Malea as it is to give that wonderful sense of discovery.

Following our temple jaunts today we took a boat trip around the floating village on Lake Tonle Sop. The houses are built on boats or pontoons and move around the lake during the year. They even had a floating basketball court! Boy O wanted a picture to show his sports teacher (who is an ex-Olympic basketball player).