Boat ride from Siem Reap to Battambang, Cambodia

After four days exploring the Angkor region, we were quite templed out, the idea of a ferry from Siem Reap to Battambang was a welcome change. A shared bus picked us up early in the morning, and did a round collecting tourists till the bus was full, and dropped us off at a small tributary entering the Tonle Sap Lake. The dryer season meant that the boat had to start a lot closer to the lake than normal, with the bus covering initially following the shallow tributary. The boat was a colourfully painted wooden boat, with a very loud engine, do not sit at the back.

During the boat journey we came across a lot of interesting birds, animals and of course the local floating villages. Amazing to see how people lived on the Tonle Sap Lake. After seven hours we reached Battambang and greeted by comical taxi drivers on the shore all after our business.

Prae Roup Temple, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

On the fourth day in Siem Reap we decided to visit the Angkor region one last time, our three day pass had finished so we purchased a single day pass.

We made one last round of Angkor Wat temple,  Prae Roup Temple that we had somehow missed, and gave the sunset on Phnom Bakheng a proper go.

Angkor Wat Temple

We had a quick stop at Angkor Wat from the eastern entrance, it wasn’t as crowded and still presented some nice views of the protruding central towers.

Prae Roup Temple

Pre Rup temple is an eighteen meter high platform of three large towers. Once we reached the top we saw glimpses of Angkor Wat from afar.

East Mebon

Small temple with elephant statues around the outer terraces that made for good photos.

Phnom Bakheng

Having left Phnom Bakheng prematurely previously, we decided to give the sunset viewed from this hill once last go,  it was a nice way to end our time in the Angkor region, though I still think the sunset is overrated.

Bayon at sunset, Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

As we where cycling back, we caught a few photos of Bayon at sunset. The reds and blues were a nice backdrop to the silhouetted faces.

Banteay Samre, Preah Khan and Neak Pean Temple, Ankor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Banteay Samre Temple

From Banteay Srey, we headed to Banteay Samre temple, a small, quiet temple with lots of doors and windows which allowed for good photo opportunities.

Preah Khan Temple

One of the temples we missed when cycling the short leg, Preah Khan has been left unrestored, overgrown by jungle similar to Ta Prohm.

Neak Poan Temple

Neak Pean is interesting in that the small temple is situated on an artificial island surrounded by water. Neak Pean was originally constructed for medical purposes, a form of a hospital, the water believed to have healing properties.