Day 7: Banteay Srei & River of Thousand
Lingas (90km)
Depart from the hotel on the main road. Arrive at Angkor Wat and turn left to the west. Continue to cycle 2km before turn right to the rural road. The road is good for cycling as you can avoid the busy traffic but you can see rice field, village, pagoda. Arrive in Banteay Srei before lunch. Visit (45 minutes) Banteay Srei temple known as women citadel (built in 967 A.D dedicated to Brahma). While some of temple are impressive because of their sheer size, Banteay Srei stands alone in the quality of its construction and decoration. Its pink sandstone walls are decorated with what some consider the best carving of all, and still an excellent state of preservation. Continue cycling to visit Kbal Spean, the River of Thousands Lingas, lying under the river bed, people believe it brings fertility and blessing Angkor area as the river flows to Siem Reap. Walk 1,200meters to visit the Lingas and enjoy lunch and the water fall. On the way back, cycle on the main road to visit Landmine Museum of Mr. Akira. Mr. Ra is dedicated to clearing the Cambodian countryside of landmines laid during the years of conflict and relies entirely on visitors' donation to fund his work. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L,D)
Depart from the hotel on the main road. Arrive at Angkor Wat and turn left to the west. Continue to cycle 2km before turn right to the rural road. The road is good for cycling as you can avoid the busy traffic but you can see rice field, village, pagoda. Arrive in Banteay Srei before lunch. Visit (45 minutes) Banteay Srei temple known as women citadel (built in 967 A.D dedicated to Brahma). While some of temple are impressive because of their sheer size, Banteay Srei stands alone in the quality of its construction and decoration. Its pink sandstone walls are decorated with what some consider the best carving of all, and still an excellent state of preservation. Continue cycling to visit Kbal Spean, the River of Thousands Lingas, lying under the river bed, people believe it brings fertility and blessing Angkor area as the river flows to Siem Reap. Walk 1,200meters to visit the Lingas and enjoy lunch and the water fall. On the way back, cycle on the main road to visit Landmine Museum of Mr. Akira. Mr. Ra is dedicated to clearing the Cambodian countryside of landmines laid during the years of conflict and relies entirely on visitors' donation to fund his work. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L,D)
Fine
sunny morning, hot but not too humid after the cooling storm the previous
afternoon.
Most
of the first 42km of the day’s ride was on dirt roads through villages and
rural areas, a fantastic experience with water buffalo, rice paddies, loads of
waving kids and interesting photos.
Another
13km on a sealed road and we came to Kbal Spean, an extensive rock carving
area within a mountain stream and on boulders nearby. This was at the
top of a 1500m climb up a mountain which tested our cycle legs a little.
The site was part of the purification process for Hindus, the
"Trilogy" of the Hindu God or 1000 Lingas.
It
was then 15km to
A great day’s touring and
cycling. 100 odd km on a mountain bike, plus the hill
and temple walks; not a bad effort. For dinner we went to a floor
show / buffet restaurant. Huge place,
seating about 600 < > people.
Every description of Asian and some European food you could wish
for. The food and the show were great.
After
leaving the restaurant I wandered back to the motel and straight to bed as I
was a very tired boy.
Gathering outside the Royal
Crown Hotel, Siem Reap for a day ride
The oxen and water buffalo
are vital to the villages as work animals, food and for milking
The kids, particularly in Cambodia, made my day, always had a smile and a "hello"
A very dodgy Cambodian bridge
Extensive underwater
carving at this sacred Hindu site
The local restaurant,
complete with wooden water wheel
The live show at dinner
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