The heat, humidity, early starts, and long days have caught up with me… am feeling exhausted today and also seem to have picked up a stomach bug. A few of the others are also feeling the pressure and have actually pulled out of today’s tour. Perhaps I should have taken it a bit easier too, but didn’t want to miss out – so persevered.
Along the way to the first temple of the day we made a couple of stops – first to see some young monks out on their daily walk for alms amongst the locals, and next for a closer look at some of the workers planting rice in the paddy fields.
Beng Meleaa
This morning we visited Beng Mealea, a hindu temple which is largely unrestored, with trees and thick brush thriving amidst its towers and courtyards and many of its stones lying in great heaps.
Preah Vihear
Preah Vihear Temple is situated atop a 525-metre (1,722 ft) cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, in the Preah Vihear province. Fortunately we didn’t have to walk all the way up, but got a lift by 4WD most of the way. I managed it to the 1st level, but couldn’t face another 4 sets of 100 meter steps, so I left the others to go alone and I stayed an had a chat with some of the locals and police.
Preah Vihear Temple s right on the Thai border and there are ongoing disputes on whether it is Thai or Cambodian owned. At the moment, the Thai border is cl0sed here so tourists can not visit this temple from Thailand.
