Angkorian temples

After a last sunset beer at the Seagull bar in the crab market, Kep, we set out to Siem Reap via an overnight in Phnom Penh. PP to SR is a 6 hour bus ride but it's in a comfortable coach with 3 stops on the way so really not too painful.

Phnom Penh is currently boom-town with Chinese investment flooding in and dozens of high-rise apartment blocks popping up like mushrooms. This one on the other side of the river has "green walls"

Much of the Cambodian interior is flat so most of the landscape looks like this with rice paddies dotted with sugar palms

Our homestay in Siem Reap - as recommended by Tony & Fi - was tucked down an alley in a quiet river-side area. Great to feel immersed in the sights and sounds of village life

Vuthy, our host, looked after us and booked us an excellent tuk-tuk driver to take us round the temples for 3 days

Wuthy is a talented sculptor, so the house is decorated with his amazing wooden carvings

Siem Reap River near our homestay

Our first temple was Kravan, a late, brick-built one

Then on to perhaps my favourite of all, peaceful Ta Nei,which is rather more ruined than some other temples and tucked away in the woods

This is the famous Ta Prom, backdrop for Tomb Raider

The massive Jayavarman VII heads of The Bayon are quite extraordinary

Trevann tries out equanimity

Angkor Thom relief work

Interesting to see the use of laterite and sandstone. I gather the laterite blocks could be cut like clay and then harden on contact with air

On the third day we did Angkor Wat itself

It is very lovely

I particularly enjoyed views over the surrounding forest

The classic view - but we didn't bother with the sunrise visit!

Beautiful

We rather enjoyed down-town Siem Reap too!

And the pizzas were amazing!