Whilst visiting the Banteay Torp Temple in Banteay Chhmar district, right within the same complex is the very new looking Pagoda. Beautifully adorned with exquisite paintings I had to do a separate slideshow for this building in it’s own right.

Banteay Torp (pronounced Tor-op) Temple is a fascinating and interesting temple site. The name is thought to mean ‘Fortress of the Army’ and it was built during the same period as the Banteay Chhmar temple complex. It is believed to have been built as a tribute to the Khmer army for their defeat of the Cham army leading to Khmer control of the region. The temple is located about 12 km south of Banteay Chhmar.

The site basically consists of three large (and very precarious looking) stone towers. Also, you can visit the nearby pagoda with its beautiful wall paintings. You can see it here: https://youtu.be/sw845Hvy468. The trip to Banteay Torp will take you through small villages, a large water reservoir and picturesque rice fields.

During my stay in Banteay Chhmar in December 2022, we visited the Soieries Silk center and were shown how they make silk in Cambodia. Providing meaningful work for some local women in Banteay Chhmar, it was a very interesting visit.

The Soieries du Mekong Silk Center is a renowned organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the art of silk weaving in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Mekong region.

Silk weaving has a long and rich history in Southeast Asia, and the Mekong region is known for its high-quality silk production. The Soieries du Mekong Silk Center plays a crucial role in supporting local artisans and communities involved in silk weaving by providing training, resources, and a platform to showcase their products. Silk weaving is not only a traditional craft but also an important part of the cultural heritage of the Mekong region.

By supporting and promoting silk weaving, organizations like the Soieries du Mekong Silk Center contribute to the preservation of local traditions and the economic empowerment of communities involved in the silk industry.

Silk Center The silk center began as a collaboration of two NGOs – Enfants du Mekong and Espoir en Soie. Soieries du Mekong has been training young Cambodian women in the art of silk weaving since 2001. Today, about a hundred people are actively contributing to the creation of Soieries du Mékong’s collections: weavers, seamstresses, embroiderers, and dyers. All silk products are entirely handcrafted and reflect the talents of the local Khmer women. You can receive a tour of the silk center, observe the silk-making process and maybe even get invited to lend a hand and try to weave yourself.

During my visit to Banteay Chhmar, I saw pictures of the Lions at the Baray (Lake). I have never seen anything quite like this before so this became a “must see” visit during one of our tours.

We reached it at the peak of the day when it was very dry and hot, so we didn’t cross the bridge to the Mebon on the Island. Instead we explored the steps and Lions at the edge of the Lake.

Banteay Chhmar’s baray lies approximately 7-800 metres east of the main temple site and measures some 800 metres by 1.6 kms. Alignment is as per Banteay Chhmar, so slightly north of east-west. The baray today is filled with paddy fields rather than water but a mebon temple is located in the centre of the reservoir.

In 2020, the local authorities have restored the west terrace of the baray, where they discovered a large immaculate sandstone lion buried in the baray, along with a range of other carved stones. The stone terrace has now been restored using old and new blocks to replace those that are too damaged or missing.

What you see in this slideshow is it’s current restored state 2022.

On our return from Banteay Chhmar to Siem Reap (Cambodia), we stopped at this beautiful stone mason’s garden. Whilst I see these as a common feature here in Thailand, and not too dissimilar is this Cambodian one.

Quite often because I am travelling from one place to another, I don’t often have time to stop and take in the enormous amount of work and skill that goes into these sculptures.

They do differ, especially when it comes to the Buddhas/Gods and other deities. I could have spent longer here, photographing them all, but I think this gives anyone a good flavour of what is there.

During my first ever visit to Angkor Wat I tried to do too much and consequently missing great temples (like this one) at the expense of others. Thankfully on my return in December 2022, I was able to visit the ones I missed. This one is The Baphuon Temple. which quickly has become one of my favourites!

\Baphuon is a beautiful 11th century “temple-mountain” with steep stairs leading visitors to a terrace which offers one of the best views in the Angkor Archaeological Park. Archaeologists believe that this pyramid-style temple, located within the city of Angkor Thom, was probably among the most impressive of the Angkor temples in its day.

Though it was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, Baphuon was converted to a Buddhist temple in the 15th century. As a result of this conversion, hidden on the west-facing section of the third enclosure wall is a giant reclining Buddha. The brickwork forming the reclining Buddha image is nine meters (30 feet) tall and 70 meters (230 feet) long. The statue was built into the west side of the temple’s second level. You may be able to see in my photos about halfway through the slideshow.

And no! I did not climb the stairway! it was too hot and too steep for me!

During my visit to Phnom Penh in December 2022, one of my “must do” visits was the Royal Palace.

On my last visit to Phnom Penh in 2013 the Royal Palace was partially closed, because on 15 October 2012, former Cambodian King and Prime Minister Norodom Sihanouk died at the age of 89, in Beijing, China, after suffering health issues. had died the year before, meaning it was closed for a whole year.

Home to Cambodia’s official royal residence, the grounds of Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are awash with regal structures, intimate temples, collections of gifts from foreign leaders and murals that paint a picture of the country’s past. Identified by the iconic high yellow walls that shelter the site, the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

Kbal Spean is an ancient Khmer site in Phnom Kulen National Park, a remote place located at considerable distance from Siem Reap and the main Angkor monuments.

The site stretches out over a length of about 150 meters through the jungle along the Stung Kbal Spean river, known as the “river of a thousand lingas”.
In 2013 during my long stay in Cambodia I visited this site. An experience not ever forgotten and one of my favourites.

As we were there during the dry season, the river was somewhat dried up. On several places, we saw beautiful images in the stones. You have to look carefully because sometimes an image does not stand out at all. The path is easily passable, but it can be rather hard at times, especially when it rains or immediately after it has rained. The whole climb is doable; you don’t have to be in great shape.

From the starting point (parking spot with eateries) you walk to the top part of the river in about 45 minutes (it took me an hour). Most travelers combine a visit with a stop at Banteay Srei, another beautiful Angkor temple.

we walked back down again; in the direction of the waterfall. which due to the dry season, was very small, but it still didn’t stop me having a cool off underneath it before continuing down back to the car park.

I hope you enjoy seeing a few of the carvings I saw, you will see it was well worth the effort!

Music is free under creative commons licence from You Tube Music library.
Title: Keeping Sacred by Emily A. Sprague

This is my video from my recent trip to Siem Reap, more famous for Angkor Wat , than the town itself. I have been to Angkor before and this was purely a getaway break and relax, as i now reside in Thailand.

This gave me time to relax and enjoy the ambience of Siem Reap itself.

Siem Reap is one of those places that caters to every taste. It’s difficult to get bored in this ever-evolving city. The variety of cuisine, accommodation, shopping, modes of transport, and daily activities is quite astonishing for what is actually a relatively small – and new – city on the edge of the Tonle Sap lake.

Whether it’s enjoy sipping a coffee and people-watching in the town, taking a quad bike out into the countryside, or bargaining for silks and silver in the burgeoning markets, there are plenty of reasons to extend a stay after becoming “templed out”.

The central shopping and restaurant area is concentrated around the south of the city near the Old Market. Nearly every week a new bar, boutique, massage spa, or restaurant seems to open; such is the pace of development.

What can seem a sleepy town by day (because everyone is at the temples) is teeming with people in high season after sunset, with tuktuks and motos jostling for space on the small streets.

Perhaps the most famous street in town is Pub Street – no guesses where the name comes from. Dominated by two night clubs – Temple Club and Angkor What?, it is lined with bars and restaurants, and is the go-to place for travellers looking for a large night out.

For those who prefer a quieter evening, the adjoining alleys are host to a myriad of smaller, idiosyncratic establishments – many of which are just as quaint to explore in the day time as at night.

Bokor Hill Station in Preah Monivong National Park, Cambodia was built in the 1920s by French colonists wanting to escape the heat and humidity of the capital Phnom Penh. The main feature of the resort was the Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino. Because of the remote mountain location, building the resort was labour intensive and nearly 900 people lost their lives during construction. Besides the Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino there was a post office, shops, church and royal apartments. At the time of its operation it was known for its luxury and grandeur and was one of the crown jewels of France’s South East Asian colonies.

In 2013 i was in Cambodia as part of my bigger Central and SEA tour for just over a year.
In Battambang I took what is fondly referred to as “The Bamboo Train”, their proper name is a Norry or Nori and can get upto speeds of 50kmh. It certainly felt like it!!

Norries have low fares, and are frequent and relatively fast, so they are popular despite their rudimentary design, lack of brakes, the state of the rails (often broken or warped) and the lack of any formal operating system. Its simple construction and light weight means that a norry can be easily removed from the track – if two meet on the line, the one with the lighter load is removed from the rails and carried round the other. At the end of the line the vehicle is lifted and turned.