Cambodia: Ta Keo, Banteay Srei, and Kbal Spean

Ta Keo

There are lots of temples to blog about, lots of info to record...mostly for our own records and book.  Ta Keo was built as a state temple by Jayavarman V in 968 A.D. and was dedicated in 1000 A.D.  it has five sanctuary towers arranged in a quincunx, built on the uppermost level of five-tier pyramid consisting of overlapping terraces (a step pyramid), surrounded by moat, as a symbolic depiction of Mount Meru.   Ta Keo was never completed because it was struck by lighting and considered unlucky.  We didn't go in and climb it, but you can.  

Banteay Srei

Temples were built by/for kings and teachers of kings.  If the latter, the temple was built at ground level, i.e. no big staircase.  This one was built at the same time as Ta Keo by Jayavarman V's priest and mentor, Yajnavaraha.  Banteay Srei means "citadel of the woman or citadel of beauty."

This was our "unlucky temple".  We arrived the same time as two bus loads full of tourists who thought our kids were more picture worthy than the ruins!  This temple is built of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to intricate carvings.  It is nicknamed the "pink temple".

We traveled with three other families.  This was a fun clipboard with treasure hunts and games courtesy of Miss Jessie.  Mara loved it.

 Hiding from the tourists.  We really don't worry about this little miss being kidnapped.  Her scream is very piercing and she has NO problem letting strangers hear it if they pick her up, squeeze her cheeks, look at her the wrong way....

Kbal Speen

Kbal Speen is an Angkorian era site on the southwest slopes of Kulen Hills.  It is commonly known as the valley of a 1,000 Lingas.  There are stone carving in and around the Stung Kbal Speen River.

The hike went a little like this.  Baby falls asleep in the car seat 10 minutes before we arrive.  

Ben: "I'll stay with her.  I'm sure she'll sleep for a while"

Cheryl: thinking "Ok. See you in 20 minutes. No newborn of ours is naps more than 30 minutes."  It's sad but true.  They don't.  And I'm totally serious. 

We spent about 10 minutes getting ready to leave.  Ten minutes into the hike,  Ben meets Samara and I on the hike with Lizzie in Bjorn.  Lizzie poops.  Ben has diaper in pocket.  We change her.  She is still blazing mad.  Lizzie and I head back down.  

Then, when I was nursing her, and our friend was nursing her baby in the van along with me, people stared in at us through the windows from outside, wanted to hold the babies, and asked if they were twins.  Huh?  It was great to have another family along who was also traveling with a newborn.

Ben and Samara finish hike with the rest of the crew.  

Notice the cool carvings in the riverbed to your left.