41 km

We left our hotel at about six a.m. and already the town was bustling with the new day. We rode the larger loop around the Angkor Wat area today counter-clockwise.

Prasat Kraven was made in the early 10th century. It’s the area’s best example of brick temples with bas-reliefs carved right into the laid bricks. These bricks are set not with mortar but with a vegetable compound that is stronger and thinner, making for a close, smooth join. This set of temples was dedicated to the god Vishnu.


Pre Rup was also built in the 10th century. It’s remarkable for its massive brick towers with steep climbs and great views into the surrounding trees. Inside the outer walls sit towers, libraries, galleries, and the main sanctuary.

East Mebon, from the mid-10th century, is a walled temple complex built on an island in the middle of a now-dry reservoir lake. It has eight large elephant sculptures that are mostly intact, set upon two of the three tiers of the temple.

Ta Som was built later, in the 12th century. Inside an outer wall there’s a moat and then an inner wall. The outer enclosure has face towers overlooking walls that are in places at the mercy of strangler figs and silk-cotton trees much like Ta Prohm.

Neak Pean, another 12th century temple, was built on an island. Inside its outer walls you find four square pools surrounding one main pool. In the middle is a small temple sanctuary. It would be something to see this during the rainy season, since now the pools are dry.

Preah Khan, from the late 12th century, is a collection of ruins that have a bit of the feel of Ta Prohm because the jungle has worked its magic here. This was the site of a large Buddhist university and city inside the outer walls. The causeways connect in long rows in the principal directions from the center sanctuary. A two-story, round-columned building is completely unique for the area, and its purpose is still unknown. The hall of dancers is decorated on all its walls and lintels with women in different dance poses.