Escape to Siem Reap

Ta Prohm was rediscovered in the 1860’s by a French archaeologist who wrote a book about his findings. It was built in the late 12th century as a Buddhist monastery and is only 1k from Angkor Wat. When the whole city was abandoned in the 16th century it fully returned to nature and became totally overgrown.

When it was used as a film set for Tomb Raider it suddenly found fame.

All the temples have ongoing restoration works in progress with many countries participating. Looking at all the stone laid out, numbered, it’s an enormous jigsaw puzzle.

Abandonment, time, nature and Pol Pot didn’t help. He systematically tried to obliterate Buddhism and the temples, looting, destroying and laying land mines.

Banteay Srei is 40k out of town. It was built in 967 and has the most exquisite, deep carvings of all the temples. Its known as the ‘Citadel of the ladies’ and is one of the most beautiful ancient temples to be found in Asia, set amongst the charming village and farmlands just below the Kulen Mountain range. It features stunning and well-preserved narrated bas-reliefs with ornate decoration from when craftmanship in the ancient empire was reaching its peak.

This is how it looked in the 1930’s when the restoration works started.

We are definitely ‘templed out’. We were only going to do one day but did 3 days in all 😊. We’re now travelling to Phnom Penh ‘The pearl of Asia’ the vibrant, bustling capital.