Banteay Srei
I took advantage of the tour that the hostel offered, including sunset viewing in Phnom Bakheng, for $28 and paid another $20 for the temple pass. This time around I had a friend to share the expenses with that automatically cut my expenses by half.
Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei is one of many temples in Siem Reap that were dedicated to Hindu gods. This particular temple is dedicated to Shiva. Banteay Srei is made of sandstone which gives it its red color. Sandstone made it easy for the makers of this temple to carve intricate designs that are unmatched in the archaeological park.
Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei is the only major temple in Angkor that was not erected by a monarch. The construction of Banteay Srei is credited to a courtier Yajnavahara.
Banteay Srei
You can clearly see the intricate carvings on the sandstones that are in Banteay Srei. The name of this temple translates to citadel of beauty. The intricate design of the bas reliefs is attributed to the craftsmanship and artistry of the ancient Khmers.
Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei was small in size compared to the other temples in the Angkor archaeological park. Despite its small size, tourists flocked Banteay Srei. The intricate carvings was a definitely a plus for me.
Banteay Srei
We ran into some monks who were taking pictures of the temple. I decided to play around with my camera and took a picture of them, isolating the color of their robes.The Ruins of Banteay Samre
After visiting the beautiful temple of Banteay Srei, our next stop was Banteay Samre. This temple had fewer tourists or we just came at the right time where most tourists have already visited this temple.
Banteay Samre
banteay Samre was erected by Suryavarnaman II and Yasovarnaman II in the 12th century, this temple also followed the design of Angkor Wat.
Banteay Samre
There were hardly any tourists inside this temple. There is something about ruins that makes me keep coming back. it must be the history in its corridors and behind its walls that intrigues me so much. Just wandering in Angkor Wat and the other temples in the archaeological park leads you to the question 'How can such a great empire disappear in a matter of years and fall into poverty?' I have my own answer to that question and I'll leave your answer up to you.
Banteay Samre
Banteay Srei
Visiting the far flung temples of Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre were worth my time, plus I got to see the Cambodian countryside that resembled the Philippines.
