Our second day in Battambang we decided to hire a scooter to explore some of the outer around Battambang regions.
1. Killing caves of Phnom Sampeau
After arriving at Phnom Sampeau hill we first visited the killing caves, the killing caves was a natural cave with skylight opening that was used by the Khmer Rouge to toss victims through the skylight to their death. Inside the cave are glass cased memorials of skulls and bones.
2. Wat Phnom Sapeau
We continued up the Phnom Sampeau hill and reached Wat Phnom Sapeau. The surrounds of Wat Phnom Sapeau is home to a bunch of macaques monkeys, which at the time were being fed by monks, this presented some good photo opportunities.
3. Wat Banan
From Wat Phnom Sapeau we headed to Wat Banan which was an ancient temple situated on a hill near the Sangker River. Wat Banan has a five tower design similar to Angkor Wat, as well some well preserved stone carvings.
4. Bamboo Train
One of the more enjoyable experiences was the bamboo train. The bamboo train is a rudimentary train consisting of no more than two axels, a metal base lined with bamboo and an small engine. All components could be lifted with two persons, though the axels which they were lifting individually were extremely heavy. As it is a single track, the protocol for two trains going in opposite directions, meeting is for the least passengers and cargo to disembark and disassemble to allow the other train to parse.
5. Wat Phnom Ek
A ruined eleventh century temple with some well preserved stone carvings. Nearby is a newly built temple and sitting Buddha statue.
