Restoration notice outside Bapuon.

After crossing the first walkway, you will see this before you arrive at the second walkway.

Built around 1060, the temple is currently under restoration.

 A view from the walkway. It was drizzling slightly in the afternoon when I visited the temple. As I walked along, I tried to pictured how life was 1000 years ago during the heydays

Looks like a chile in prayer position.

Children jumping into the pond for a nice dip- the pond is located next to Baphuon.

 Scenery from the terrace:

After visiting Elephant Terrace, we proceed to some stalls located nearby to have our lunch. As we were eating, it suddenly started raining very heavily.  Some of the people selling souveniors opposite quickly wrapped up their items. As it is the rainy season in Angkor, many peddlers were prepared.

I proceed to Bapuon, using my umbrella in the rain. With the cool weather and nice breeze, I quite enjoy the walk. Look out on my next post.

Gate leading to the temple of the Leper King & Elephant Terrace

The wall carvings on the terrace. This was built for one of the kings who was believed to be a leper.

Built in late 12th Century by Jayavarman VII.

Show of marine life and devatas.

Picture above: The top of the picture shows deities carrying swords and devatas. Below the layers are the garudas.

You will see this statue as you climb up the terrace. There are some abnormalities of the statue which later led to the belief that it was the leper king.

A foreigner lady cycling past the terrace. By the way, there are many foreigner women (me included) who cycle around Angkor, some alone.

From there, you can walk to the Elephant Terrace. You will pass by the area like the picture above on your way there.

 Built in the late 10th and early 11th century by Suryavarman I.

Check out the steep staircase. Folks, it is not as easy as it looks. There are 3 levels of stairs, each rising to about 12 m each.

 There are 4 similar staircase up. The one located at the back has a handrail to aid you to get down. Else, staircases like these are very steep.

 A view from the second level about climbing the 5 meter stairs.

 These are like hallways, built rectangular surrounding the perimeter of the palace.

Others climbing up to the top center tower. I did not make it to the top because the steps are smaller, some broken and uneven. Well, the folks in the photo did it without much effort.

 The higher tower- you need to climb up another flight of stairs to get to it. Unfortunately I did not have the guts to do what the guy was doing in the photo.

The look of the stairs after the descent. The handrail steps are only used as a descent. But if you are desperate and no one is around, you can use it to climb too, I guess.

Local legend by the Chinese population at Angkor has it that the Khmer king lay with a woman who was actually an incarnation of a powerful nine head naga.

There are not much carvings at the palace but it does make an interesting climb.

One pond was used by men and another (at the back) by ladies.

Price of entry tickets to Angkor Wat (it allows you to access to all the anciet temples there):

The last price that I know:

• 1 day pass: USD20
• 3 days pass: USD40
• 7 days pass: USD60.

Prepare 2 passport size photos to avoid having to take photo and pay for it at the entrance. If you go in the evening, you can watch the sunset for free- the pass will commerce the next day. But always check with your tour guide to ensure there is no change in regulation.

By the way, if you engage a guide, it has to be licensed from the Khmer Angkor Tour Guide Association of Siem Reap. The guide will wear a light brown uniform with a KAIGA id. Their office is located in the Tourism Office next to the Grand Hotel. Tel: 063-964 347.

Currency

Currency in Cambodia is “Riel” but most tourism places uses USD. You can pay in USD even when buying things from the market or a bottle of mineral water from the roadside or a Tshirt sold by a child- as far as I know it is true when you are in Siem Reap.  So you need not worry about changing to local currency- just ensure you change to US dollar notes when you come.

Gate leading to Primeanakas & the Royal Palace

 We also see this along the way: