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| Rivers, Mountain Trails and Trees. I am in my element. |
This is a detailed account of our third day tour around Angkor Archeological Park. After two full days of touring the temples of Angkor, we wanted a change of pace. We started our day with a morning trek to Kbal Spean. We visited and marvelled at the intricate and beautiful carvings and structures of Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. We spent the afternoon touring the Roluos Group of temples including the temple-mountain of Bakong. If you are looking for the more famous Bayon and Angkor Wat, you have to check out this link for our first day tour.
This is also part of our seven-day adventure in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh where we spent three days touring and falling in love with the temples of Angkor. We filled a day simply exploring the City of Siem Reap and going around its countless Night Markets. We dedicated a full day getting to know hundreds of pigeons flying around the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. And our last two days were spent in Ho Chi Minh where coffee anywhere and everywhere is just absolutely good.
Third Day Tour
- Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Linga)
- Banteay Srei
- Banteay Samre
- Rolous Group
-- Bakong
-- Preah Ko
-- Lo Lei
- Banteay Srei
- Banteay Samre
- Rolous Group
-- Bakong
-- Preah Ko
-- Lo Lei
Itinerary:
Day 3 April 7 (Tuesday)
0800 Wake up call. Breakfast
0845 ETD Victory Guest House to Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Lingas)
Kbal Spean and Banteay Srei are far a bit out of the way from the main temples of Angkor Archeological Park. Going around the country side of Siem Reap in a Tuktuk was so relaxing. The view was very different from what we've been seeing for the last two days. The fresh air and unfamiliar houses were very relaxing.
0945 ETA Kbal Spean Jump off. Start Trek
It was the beginning of the hot season in Cambodia and on these months the clean and cool river give way to a murky, insect-infested water. I've even asked around to check if we can swim or at least cool off and wash our faces in the river, but it was impossible on the hot months in Cambodia. I initially thought of passing up a visit to The River of a Thousand Lingas; but after two days and a series of temple explorations, the morning hike to Kbal Spean was a welcome change of scenery. We were all glad that we went.
1015 ETA Kbal Spean. Explore.
Being surrounded by trees, the earth beneath my shoes and a hike to a river. Sometimes these things are all I need to recharge. I was in my element.
Be sure to go around the river and explore everything, there are a lot of art and images embedded on the river bed.
Day 3 April 7 (Tuesday)
0800 Wake up call. Breakfast
0845 ETD Victory Guest House to Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Lingas)
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| Happiness is having a good amount of sleep! |
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| off to the country side |
Kbal Spean and Banteay Srei are far a bit out of the way from the main temples of Angkor Archeological Park. Going around the country side of Siem Reap in a Tuktuk was so relaxing. The view was very different from what we've been seeing for the last two days. The fresh air and unfamiliar houses were very relaxing.
0945 ETA Kbal Spean Jump off. Start Trek
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| It's always a lovely walk with trees at your side and the earth below your feet |
It was the beginning of the hot season in Cambodia and on these months the clean and cool river give way to a murky, insect-infested water. I've even asked around to check if we can swim or at least cool off and wash our faces in the river, but it was impossible on the hot months in Cambodia. I initially thought of passing up a visit to The River of a Thousand Lingas; but after two days and a series of temple explorations, the morning hike to Kbal Spean was a welcome change of scenery. We were all glad that we went.
1015 ETA Kbal Spean. Explore.
 |
| River of Thousand Lingas |
Being surrounded by trees, the earth beneath my shoes and a hike to a river. Sometimes these things are all I need to recharge. I was in my element.
Be sure to go around the river and explore everything, there are a lot of art and images embedded on the river bed.
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| The Back End of Kbal Spean |
1050 ETD Back to Jump off
1105 ETA Jump off
1110 ETD Kbal Spean Jump off to Banteay Srei
1130 ETA Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei is inside a big complex with facilities that allows people to fish and take boat rides. There is also a large selection of souvenir shops and restaurants.
It was already lunch but we were all so excited to explore Banteay Srei. This is also called the Citadel of Woman, or the Citadel of Beauty. If you've been around Angkor, and you heard that there's a temple that's called the Citadel of Beauty, wouldn't you be excited too?
There are two things that makes Banteay Srei special:
1) The temple is made of pink/red sandstone. This makes the color of temple stands out from the rest of the temples that you've been accustomed to. The sandstone also makes the temple a very nice retreat from the heat of the sun. However hot it is outside, being inside the shade of Banteay Srei was always so cool and refreshing.
2) There is no place in Angkor Archeological Park that can rival the most intricate Bas-reliefs and carvings of Banteay Srei.
We had fresh coconuts at Banteay Srei before we continued our journey. Coconuts are so refreshing. Remember that you can always have it cut in hald so you can dig in and fully enjoy it.
1330 ETD Banteay Srei to Banteay Samre
1400 ETA Banteay Samre
Among the small temples of Angkor, Banteay Samre was my favourite. This is only a small collection of a few temple towers; but the intricacy of each one -- from floor, stairs, windows, doors to the roof -- were just a marvel to behold.
The continuous surrounding walkway made it easy to explore the view of the temples in every angle. Because of the intimacy of each towers, you can look in any direction and see a perfect frame. We spent almost an hour falling in love with the place.
1515 ETD Banteay Samre to Lo Lei
1600 ETA Lo Lei
Lo Lei was more of a buddhist temple than the normal temples you find across Siem Reap. The remaining Hindu temples were under construction when we went there. So we just had a quick tour of the place and had our lunch.
Our morning was filled with so many beautiful sights that we didn't care for lunch. There are a couple of eateries around this place, but not much choices when it comes to a meal. I forgot that I was already hungry until my delicious fried rice arrived!
1645 ETD Lo Lei to Preah Bakong
1700 ETA The temple-mountain Bakong
According to four materials: two travel magazines I've read in our hostel, a book we bought along the way, and the travel guide I brought with me; the temple-mountain of Bakong has been ranked as a must see temple. It's also far from the other temples and only those people who have time and truly wants to see it gives the effort to go here. And you know what they say, fortune favours the bold.
1105 ETA Jump off
1110 ETD Kbal Spean Jump off to Banteay Srei
1130 ETA Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei is inside a big complex with facilities that allows people to fish and take boat rides. There is also a large selection of souvenir shops and restaurants.
It was already lunch but we were all so excited to explore Banteay Srei. This is also called the Citadel of Woman, or the Citadel of Beauty. If you've been around Angkor, and you heard that there's a temple that's called the Citadel of Beauty, wouldn't you be excited too?
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| Banteay Srei |
There are two things that makes Banteay Srei special:
1) The temple is made of pink/red sandstone. This makes the color of temple stands out from the rest of the temples that you've been accustomed to. The sandstone also makes the temple a very nice retreat from the heat of the sun. However hot it is outside, being inside the shade of Banteay Srei was always so cool and refreshing.
2) There is no place in Angkor Archeological Park that can rival the most intricate Bas-reliefs and carvings of Banteay Srei.
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| Banteay Srei. Photo by Joy Hipolito |
We had fresh coconuts at Banteay Srei before we continued our journey. Coconuts are so refreshing. Remember that you can always have it cut in hald so you can dig in and fully enjoy it.
1330 ETD Banteay Srei to Banteay Samre
1400 ETA Banteay Samre
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| Banteay Samre. Photo by Joy |
Among the small temples of Angkor, Banteay Samre was my favourite. This is only a small collection of a few temple towers; but the intricacy of each one -- from floor, stairs, windows, doors to the roof -- were just a marvel to behold.
The continuous surrounding walkway made it easy to explore the view of the temples in every angle. Because of the intimacy of each towers, you can look in any direction and see a perfect frame. We spent almost an hour falling in love with the place.
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| Cindy, Rommel and Joy at Banteay Samre |
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| Far away from the usual crowded temple. The peace was a blessing |
1515 ETD Banteay Samre to Lo Lei
1600 ETA Lo Lei
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| A ruined section of the Hindu Temple. Photo by Joy |
Lo Lei was more of a buddhist temple than the normal temples you find across Siem Reap. The remaining Hindu temples were under construction when we went there. So we just had a quick tour of the place and had our lunch.
Our morning was filled with so many beautiful sights that we didn't care for lunch. There are a couple of eateries around this place, but not much choices when it comes to a meal. I forgot that I was already hungry until my delicious fried rice arrived!
1645 ETD Lo Lei to Preah Bakong
1700 ETA The temple-mountain Bakong
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| The pathway to Bakong |
According to four materials: two travel magazines I've read in our hostel, a book we bought along the way, and the travel guide I brought with me; the temple-mountain of Bakong has been ranked as a must see temple. It's also far from the other temples and only those people who have time and truly wants to see it gives the effort to go here. And you know what they say, fortune favours the bold.
Temple-mountains have exceptional architectures and views. This feature can only be rivaled by magnificent temple complexes like Angkor Wat and Bayon and the ancient city of Preah Khan. Atop the temple-mountain, between to stone lion guards, you could see the ruins below with all their splendour, the view of the forest beyond completes the scenery. It was a majestic view.
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| The temple-mountain of Bakong |
1730 ETD Bakong to Preah Ko
1735 ETA Preah Ko
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| Preah Ko |
Preah Ko was a small but relaxing temple. This looked like it belonged to the same minds that created the beautiful East Mebon and Prerup.
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| Cindy and Joy at Preah Ko |
1800 ETD Preah Ko to Victory Guest House. Free Time
We also bought our tickets for the Night Bus to Phnom Penh at Giant Ibis Terminal near the Angkor Night Market by the River. Giant Ibis Night Bus is the best land transfer choice from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.
Where to stay?
Victory Guesthouse
Telephone number: (855) 012 516 566 / (855) 012 451 286
Website: www.victoryguesthouse.com
Alternative Options: Mad Monkey, Mandalay Inn, Bou Savy Guest House
Note: Always check Tripadvisor and Hostelworld for recent reviews and ranking of any place to better guarantee a nice visit.
Sample Tour
Day 1: South Gate of the Angkor Thom, Central Angkor Thom (Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Terrace of Leperking), Takoa, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdey, Srah Srang and the World Heritage Angkor Wat. Visit Sunset at Bakheng Mountain or Angkro Wat.
Day 2: Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Krol Kou, Tasom, East Mebon, and Angkor Wat.
Day 3: Visit Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Linga), Banteay Srey, Banteay Samre, Rolous Group (Bakong, Preah Ko, and Lo Lei)
My Favourite Sites:
Day 1: Bayon, Angkor Wat, Baphuon, Ta Prohm
Day 2: Preah Khan, East Mebon
Day 3: Kbal Spean, Banteay Samre, Bakong Temple
Itinerary Summary:
Day 3 April 7 (Tuesday)
0800 Wake up call. Breakfast
0845 ETD Victory Guest House to Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Lingas)
0945 ETA Kbal Spean Jump off. Start Trek
1015 ETA Kbal Spean. Explore
1050 ETD Back to Jump off
1105 ETA Jump off
1110 ETD Kbal Spean Jump off to Banteay Srei
1130 ETA Banteay Srei
1330 ETD Banteay Srei to Banteay Samre
1400 ETA Banteay Samre
1515 ETD Banteay Samre to Lo Lei
1600 ETA Lo Lei
1645 ETD Lo Lei to Bakong
1700 ETA The temple-mountain Bakong
1730 ETD Bakong to Preah Ko
1735 ETA Preah Ko
1800 ETD Preah Ko to Victory Guest House. Free Time
0800 Wake up call. Breakfast
0845 ETD Victory Guest House to Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Lingas)
0945 ETA Kbal Spean Jump off. Start Trek
1015 ETA Kbal Spean. Explore
1050 ETD Back to Jump off
1105 ETA Jump off
1110 ETD Kbal Spean Jump off to Banteay Srei
1130 ETA Banteay Srei
1330 ETD Banteay Srei to Banteay Samre
1400 ETA Banteay Samre
1515 ETD Banteay Samre to Lo Lei
1600 ETA Lo Lei
1645 ETD Lo Lei to Bakong
1700 ETA The temple-mountain Bakong
1730 ETD Bakong to Preah Ko
1735 ETA Preah Ko
1800 ETD Preah Ko to Victory Guest House. Free Time
Expenses:
Day 3
8.4 *25/3 Angkor Tour. Victory Guesthouse
1 Iced Coffee
.75 Coconut
2 Fried Rice
.25 Water
1 Soda
1 Iced Coffee
1.1 Pocari Sweat
15 Giant Ibis Bus Ticket. Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
3 Dinner at Steven Corner
.5 Water
6.4 *19/3 Accommodations. Victory Guesthouse
_________
USD 40.4
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