Sunday, November 2nd, 2003 – Day 257
I met my driver at 9.00am. I am paying him 15 USD for 3 days driving. Its 7km to the temple entrance and many temples are 4-5km apart. He stays around all day waiting outside each temple until I am done. Cambodian Nationals get into the temples for free. As it is a weekend, many are here to picnic.
I hear about the Land Mines Museum from a guy in Indonesia. I found out that its on the way to the emples (well 5km down a dirt track), so I decided to visit.
Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Land mine Museum. (02-11-2003)
You won’t find signs leading you to this seemingly impromptu museum; Cambodian officials prefer their own rhetoric to that of the owner and curator, Mr. Akira. The museum itself is just a corrugated-roof area stacked high with disarmed ordnance and detailed data about the use, effects, and statistics about UXO (unexploded ordinance) in the country. Most interesting is the small grove out back, an exhibit of how mines are placed in a real jungle setting. The museum is a call to action for demining in the country. Resist any temptation to volunteer (unless properly trained), but you’re sure to have a chance to chat with Mr. Akira, peruse his recent book on the subject, and sign a petition (he’s hoping to achieve NGO status). It’s an interesting visit.
Interesting. his parents were Killed by the Khmer Rouge and he was taught by them to lay mines as a child Soldier. In 1979, he was captured by the invading Vietamese forces and was part of their army until 1990 whee he fought his former comrades. Some of the content of the museum is made up of his exploits against the KE, much of it graphic but interesting. He laid out all the tricks he used to have to ambush KR troops. When the Vietnam Army pulled out, he was in the Cambodian Army from 1990-1993 again fighting KR. Indeed there was KR activity up until 1997 in districts around Siem Reap. There are lots of warning from him about the mines around the temples.
Anyway, spend ALL day until sunset at the temples. Enjoy.
Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Angkor Wat. (02-11-2003)
Ta Prohm
The jungle foliage still has its hold on this dynamic temple, the only that was left in such a ruinous state when early archaeologists started freeing the temples from the jungle. Ta Prohm is a favorite for many; in fact, those very ruinous vines appeal to most. As large around as your average oak tree, the vines cleave massive stones in two or give way and grow over the top of temple ramparts. It’s quite dynamic, and there are a few popular photo spots where the collision of temple and vine are most impressive. Sadly, Ta Prohm was looted quite heavily in recent years, and many of its stone reliquaries are lost
Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Ta Prohm. (02-11-2003)
Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Ta Prohm. (02-11-2003)
Back to Ankor Wat for sunset.
Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Angkor Wat – One of the Central Spires up close. (02-11-2003)
I went back to the Hostel. I ate and decided to head to battanbang. The attraction is the 5 hour boat trip there. Its a tourist thing as you can go by bad road, but not many tourists take this trip. The boats that ply the route are small as there are some very narrow waterways. I bought the 13 USD ticket from the hotel. I would be picked up at 6.00am and the boat would leave from the docks (40 minutes away) at 7.00am.
I had one day left on my Siem Reap ticket (for the temples) but I had more than enough. I was templed out.