After spending the whole day exploring the temples I decided to come back the next day.

Alone, this time.

I wanted to visit some of the temples that were out-of-the-way and revisit some of my favorites from the previous day.

It was a bit dusty on the way, so my scarf actually came in handy :).

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Forgive my vanity, but I had to take a photo of myself looking like this 🙂

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First stop was Pre Rup.

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Just look at that blue sky!

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About an hour later I arrived at Banteay Srei also known as ‘citadel of women’.

But my tuktuk driver simply calls it ‘the lady temple’  🙂

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 waterlilies…

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 It was built mainly from red/pink sandstone which they say made the elaborate wall carvings possible.

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The details in the carvings are just impressive.

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View of the temple from across the moat.

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Also, a little bit out of the way is Banteay Samre.

Somewhat similar to Banteay Srei because the same material was used in building this temple.

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What I love about this temple is that behind that wall is a passageway.

It will eventually lead you back to the entrance… 🙂

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Inside you’ll notice that all the room-like structures are elevated.

They say that there used to be an interior moat here which was obviously filled with water that’s why everything had to be elevated.

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To end the day I went back to Angkor Thom and revisited Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, and Ta Prohm.

It was such a perfect day to go out and I was so happy because there were barely any tourists at the temples. Makes it so much easier to explore and take photos of the place. 🙂

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Ta Prohm Temple

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east meets west

A monk was waiting for all the tourists to leave so he could take a photo 🙂

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Yep, they want their photos taken too…

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Getting lost in Angkor Thom…

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My tuktuk driver dropped me off at a different entrance and said he’ll wait for me at West Bayon.

Oh-kay…

I’m sure I can find it as long as I figure out where I am first. :-S

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Here I am wondering where the hell should I go :S

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I think I entered through Terrace of the Elephants. Hmm…

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 I don’t know how long I stood there just looking at the map. In the end, I was still confused on where to go next.

 I was thinking I should have brought a compass, then I realized I didn’t know how to use one. hehe  🙂

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Phimeanakas temple with ZERO tourists  🙂

Well, except for me…

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Finally, I know where to go… Umm, sort of…

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Baphuon Temple

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The view of Baphuon temple where the reclining Buddha is.

I was too tired to climb all the way up so I just stayed in the second level 🙂

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Looks like the game ‘Temple Run’ right? :))

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Bayon Temple

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Last stop for the day was Bayon temple.

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    What’s unique about Bayon temple is that there are over 200 large faces carved on the stone towers at the third level.

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Nobody knows for sure if the faces represent King Jayavarman VII or Lokesvara (described to be an enlightened being who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas).

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Nooks and crannies and endless passageways…

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Since nobody was there to take my photo (not even other tourists),

I just used my camera’s timer.  haha  🙂

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Yes, eventually I found West Bayon!

 Now time to go back to the hotel & pack my bag(s).

Did I mention I still have a flight to catch that night?  🙂

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