Vietnam and Cambodia Part VII - Banteay Srei

We were up at 5 am to meet Vannda for the sunrise over Angkor Wat.  As you can see by the photos, we were already too late to get to the favoured spot in front of the temple.  However, since it was the dry season, the lake had dried to a small pool so no real reflections to be had. 

This is the low season!

The best I could do

Naga overlooking the car park

Tuk Tuk driver in hammock on phone

Vannda suggested we visit Banteay Srei, the ladies temple before breakfast as it would be quiet.  A great suggestion as we were about the first to be there.  We were met by a corrupt police officer who asked for $2 each to take us into the middle of the temple which was cordoned off.  Could not resist the temptation.

Banteay Srei

I failed to see the dragonfly on the lotus, until I was processing the image

Carvings in the temple

 

We stopped at this village to see the production of palm sugar

Palm tree ladder

Cashew nuts in raw state

Palm sugar moulds - tastes like fudge

Vannda suggested we visited the temple next to our hotel which had been one of the many 'killing fields' in the time of Kymer Rouge.

In the background are a mound of skulls and bones from the massacre of monks and villagers

After lunch, Vannda took us to the boats which take you to a floating village.  Only one was accessible because the river was so low.  I didn't enjoy this trip, once it became obvious it was very much a tourist trap.  There is not much living here in fishing and they seem to rely on the tourists giving money.  There was even a crocodile farm which had been created just for the tourists. 

Basketball court

Snakes captured in the jungle to provide a living from tourists

Catholic church

In the evening, Vannda took us to an Apsara show in Siem Riep.  An enjoyable show but unfortunately Penny picked up something and was sick all through the night.

Coconut dance

Waiting for the audience to take to the stage for photos

Linda, Penny and the boys