A Day at the Siem Reap Temples (Part II)

After visiting Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, Cambodia's hot and humid climate was starting to wear Kristin and I down. Unfortunately, we knew we couldn't visit all of the dozens of temples scattered around Siem Reap, so we decided on two more before heading back into town for a very late lunch and a rest.

We jumped on the tuk-tuk, exited Angkor Thom's Victory Gate, crossed the Siem Reap River, and soon arrived at Ta Keo. Older than both Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, Ta Keo was the first temple built entirely of sandstone when it was constructed in the late 10th century. It was never truly completed and lacks much of the ornate decorations of other temples. Steep staircases attach the three terraces, reaching a height of over 21 meters (70 feet) and providing some good exercise for those willing to have a go climbing up.

Our final stop was Ta Prohm, often referred to as the 'jungle temple' and popularized in Indiana Jones' Raiders of the Lost Ark. Ta Prohm was built around the same time as Angkor Thom, and has a similar architectural style. It was originally constructed as a Buddhist monastery, which was very powerful and rich. At its height, it was home to over ten thousand residents and controlled nearly 3,000 surrounding villages. After the Khmer Empire fell in the 15th century, it as abandoned and began merging with the jungle; massive fig and silk-cotton trees weave around its walls and throughout the complex. Since temple restoration efforts began in the early 19th century, Ta Prohm is one of the only to be largely left as it was found though work was underway while we were visiting to ensure structural integrity.