Thailand Bicycle Trip 2009: Part Two

Contents

Angkor: Near-Sites Tour by Tuk-Tuk

We get up around five, and find breakfast a ways down the street and around the corner: rice with meat and eggs. The establishment is centered around the TV, and as we eat the roadside just outside accumulates a contingent of non-customers also sitting and watching. After breakfast we stop by the pharmacy we found last night, picking up a pancho for me (Micah came supplied), and bug repellant. Prepared, we start out walking North along the turn-off to Angkor. We assume — with strong evidence from being accosted often the evening before — that it will be easy to find a tuk-tuk for the day, and our plan is to walk until a driver with reasonably good English finds us. We have hardly rounded the (pot-hole and puddle blasted) corner turning north before this works, and we hire H for the day. For $15 (paid at end), he will take us on the short one-day circuit.

The ride in is pleasantly padded after a few days on bikes; it is also remarkable to watch the ramshackle congestion of Siem Reap give way to clear roadsides, light poles, and fancy hotels.

We make a preliminary stop for tickets; we opt for the three-day consecutive pass, at $40 each. (This means we get it punched once, when we buy it, and can tour indiscriminately for the coming three days.) The passes include a photo they take of us as we buy it, though they are printed on regular paper.

Angkor Wat

Our first stop is Angkor Wat. H parks in the tuk-tuk lot, where he will wait for us, and we are immediately beset by local children selling tourist wares: they will remain a constant fixture of our visit. (Ten bracelets, one dollar, Mister; ten postcards, one dollar; I think you need a guidebook, Mister; when you come back, I think you come to my shop, okay?)

parking lot outside Angkor Wat

The lot filled with waiting drivers is a good example of infrastructure far beyond the needs of the tourists present during our visit.

Angkor Wat front moat and facade

The front facade of Angkor Wat waits past its grand moat. As we depart (around eleven), there are a few more tourists than when we arrive; it has also rained briefly in the interim.

Angkor Wat entrance

From the moment we walk up to Angkor Wat, we are plagued by dark stone temples against bright, backlighting skies, here accentuated by my lens which starts the day smudged.

We acquire a tour guide (he is waiting by the entrance, and although we had planned to do a little self-touring first he is informative), and head into the temple. He tells us about its history: originally Hindu, then Buddhist, and somewhat pock-marked from bullets during the Khmer Rouge. This explains why the bas-relief covering the walls (as well as some of the statues) are Hindu-themed, but statues of Buddhas also line the hallways. (Most of the statues' heads have been looted.)

One of the things which impresses us most, and continues to do so at the other sites, is the extent to which every surface is decorated: everything is ornately and densely carved, whether in designs or figures or, as we see towards the back, in complete battle scenes. Another is the enormity of the construction as a whole.

interior doorway

Although some steps have wooden platforms over them, for the most part visitors walk directly on the artifacts.

exterior bas relief

Part of our guide's tour took us along an exterior ledge, the better to see the carvings.

interior painted pillars

It doesn't stop being ornate.

wires holding crumbling bas relief

There are various stages and means of protection and restoration, including some restoration which involves removing corrosive elements from previous restorative techniques.

unfinished bas relief

The king died before the temple was entirely complete, at which point work stopped, here (we surmise) leaving outlined but unfinished bas relief.

interior area with rubble and grass cutter

Locals cut (to collect) the grass, here seen nearing the back entrance.

covered walkways with shrine

Most (if not all) of the temples feature active shrines.

posing with Angkor Wat

We were there (with our guide for the morning).

Mimosa pudica

Our guide points out a patch of Mimosa pudica, which curls up its leaves when touched.

west gate of Angkor Wat

Behind Angkor Wat is its west gate.

Micah on west gate

(Also the gate.)

interior with rubble

There are often areas strewn with parts of nearby structures; here, next to the inside of the main corridor around Angkor Wat.

back entrance to Angkor Wat

The main causeway through Angkor Wat leads to the back towers (here pictured) from the front entrance.

sky through rock opening

We lunch in touristville, where H drops us off. (Returning to the parking lot, we jump in the tuk-tuk to escape the vendors before deciding we should eat lunch before going; H pulls around and drops us at one of the line of near-identical restaurants along the edge of the lot.)

My reactive stubbornness aside, Micah takes up one of the many offers to sell us a guide book. It turns out to serve us well, having all of maps, good advice on which sites to see, and interesting technical details. At $10, it is below half of list price, so we oscillate between feeling it is money well spent and, given comparative shopping options (and its being several years old), feeling we've gotten a raw deal.

Angkor Thom

Next, we head into Angkor Thom, a large walled area — once a city — containing a number of sites.

Angkor Thom west gate

Our first stop is the Bayon, which will become an enduring favorite of ours for its dense, maze-like interior and almost-natural mountainous aspect.

Bayon exterior over water

Like all good edifices, the Bayon has a moat and reflecting pool.

I am admiring the strewn rubble beneath the trees opposite as we round the approaching bend, and am staggered when I glance to the other side and find our second massive temple having appeared. H parks and we head inside.

Bayon towers, stairs, and sky Bayon narrow vertical space Bayon courtyard with rubble, monk, and tourist Bayon facade

I continue to have mixed feelings about the lack of protection for the ruins: It's great to be able to explore undirected and get so close to the carvings, but I can practically feel irreplaceable archeological data disintegrating every time I stop or brush a wall.

bas-relief figure directionally reflective green growth, side-by-side

We discover a plant which is directionally reflective, like road signs: from near the angle of the incident light, it glows astonishingly; from an oblique angle, it looks like standard moss. (Another tourist who passes through while we are admiring it seems marginally impressed.)

shrine and electrical wires electrical box and wires

Some fixtures make it especially not hard to think of Indiana Jones.

surface decoration in doorway

Although decorated surfaces are standard, the designs continue to vary.

Bayon towers and hallway entrance

All of the towers have giant faces on all sides.

Micah with low tower face and column

Leaving the Bayon and heading north, we pass over the causeway for the Baphuon; the main section is closed, so we head on to Phimeanakas.

gate with surrounding wall and trees

Phimeanakas has an enclosing gated wall.

Micah in split tree trunk

We stop along the way for silly pictures.

Mark in wooden support in wall

(We swap camera and guide book for a moment.)

monks on stairway past trees

Phimeanakas is relatively small and very steep.

top area with covered walkway Micah on wooden stairs

Micah points out how the top step is conveniently slanted, in case you need help to get going.

hole in gatehouse roof

There are enticing holes in ceilings and walls everywhere — here, in the roof of Phimeanakas' east gatehouse. (panoramio)

We head out Phimeanakas' east gate onto the Elephant Terrace. The approach and the view combine well for granduer: from under the gatehouse, to the broad steps up to the terrace, and then opening onto the raised terrace which stretches the breadth of a clearing, and towers on the clearing's far side. Micah catches the feeling, projecting: Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossues, and we petty men.... We walk along the terrace, determine it does indeed have elephants on its facade, briefly admire the nested pair of walls on the Leper King's Terrace, and then as it begins to rain take refuge back in the tuk-tuk.

Elephant Terrace facade and lawn

The Elephant Terrace has a broad walkway (on top, not visible here) and elephants which decorate the corners and ends of the stairways (but not this closest pictured section).

elephant in bas relief on the Elephant Terrace

It takes a little looking before we see the eponymous bas-reliefs.

Leper King's Terrace

An excavated gap runs between the two sets of walls on the Leper King's Terrace.

Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda, Spean Thma

Onward, out the east gate of Angkor Thom, we stop at two small sites, interesting for their contrastive restoration. (After only a few sites, we have grown accustomed to the first impression of size and age and decoration; but the individual structures continue to present different variations.) Thommanon sports concrete ceilings — entirely incongruous, looking like paneling. Across the way, Chau Say Tevoda has in-place replicas of many portions of facade; they give it a patch-work appearance as we approach, but work better once we're walking through the temple.

Chao Say Tevoda

Chao Say Tevoda: On approach, the different colors of the replica and original stonework do not mesh.

stone wall with restored sections

Once closer, we find the restored sections more informative.

bas relief figure with restored sections

Some restoration remains baffling; notably, the variation in color among restored pieces.

half-repaired walkway

The walkway shows another variety of restoration: Our guess is that the best-preserved parts have been consolidated to one side.

naga head detail

Naga are a common decoration for ends — here, on a loose balustrade section.

We are struck (on various occasions) how the smaller sites are marginalized by their surroundings; temples which anywhere else would be amazing historical sites are, here, hardly worth a stop.

Along the road we stop at Spean Thma, arches from a bridge now attractively arboreal. We stop for pictures.

Micah and Mark under bridge arches

Ta Keo

Although we are well used to steep temple steps, Ta Keo impresses us with its extreme and several-tiered stairs. Its other defining features is its lack of adornment, work on which was never completed (nor hardly begun).

Ta Keo column with varyingly finished faces

A column so illustrative of stages of carving seems too textbook to be true.

Micah on steps: feet

The steps are not much wider than our feet.

Micah on steps: on knee

Halfway up, one of the steps is double height.

Micah at steps: top

The guide book informs us that the monk given the temple deemed himself unworthy to use the higher level; we guess he may have had ulterior motives.

towers and view to greenery down short staircase courtyard

Ta Prohm

We rendez-vouz with H, who takes us to our next stop, Ta Prohm. (In the parking area, there is an ice cream truck; after most of the day climbing around ruins in the tropical sun, we are both ready to pay a dollar for an ice cream bar.)

tree over courtyard with platform

Ta Prohm is preserved, but not restored. Walking into it, we feel even more than usual like we are discovering a hidden ruin; Micah ruminates, and I agree, that it would make a good first stop for an Angkor tour. The trees are equally massive to the temple they are growing in and around, and are a pleasing visual counterpoint — long organic lines against stone blocks. (If we were more culturally aware, we might recognize parts from Tomb Raider.)

Micah and Mark sitting with roots

We avoid taking our picture on one of the provided take-your-picture-here platforms.

Micah and Mark standing with roots front wall with rubble

Seeing the cascaded rubble impresses us with how much rock went into the buildings.

wall with tree roots and scaffolding carvings on tower and wall with rubble archway and dirt path stone wedge caught between walls

Micah points this one out: waiting to finish falling.

tree with tower and rubble root with broken wall

Banteay Kdei

We make one last stop for the day at Banteay Kdei, with dusk approaching. A few of the girls selling the usual tourist items — bracelets, postcards, etc — attach themselves to us with unusual vigour, whether just because it's the off season, or just the end of the day.

Micah with vendor girls through doorway

They follow us as far as the temple center, where there is the usual active shrine. As well as excellent persistance, they have remarkable conversational skills in English, can answer a little French, and speak Thai (presumably in addition to fluent Khmer).

Micah with vendor girl in central room

They brand Micah Mr. From Thailand, having found that out about him. (I earn only something to the effect of Mr. Tall or Mr. Thin.)

tower and foliage silhouettes

We wander through the rest of the temple as the sun goes down.

Evening

H drives us back into town; we admire the lights (including what looks like a ferris wheel) off to our left. H offers to take us to a buffet dinner, featuring (we are not entirely clear) dancing girls; we decline. Back at the hotel is he is also keen to pick us up for tomorrow's tour, but we have decided to tour some of the nearer outlying sites by bicycle; he is skeptical, but we persist. After showers, we have dinner next door: somewhere between soup and curry, with chicken and an oddly cut mystery meat neither of us can identify or deices to try. (They bring us bottled water, and ask if chopsticks are too difficult for us to use.)

Back at the hotel, we flesh out our route for the next day, write, and are ready for sleep. It is a little past 22:30.

Angkor: Peripheral Sites By Bicycle

For our second day touring Angkor, we go by bicycle; the agenda is to see a number of peripheral sites. We start a little later that has become usual — awake a bit after six — and head north out of Sieam Reap.

woman at sandwich stand

Breakfast is sandwiches at a stand just outside Siem Reap.

West Baray

Our first destination is the West Baray, one of two giant artificial reservoirs (the other being East), each roughly eight by two kilometers. The East Baray is dry, but the West Baray is still partly filled, varying with the season. On our way to the West Baray, we make a whirlwind tour of Angkor Wat and the Bayon, then head out along a dirt road and through the west gate of Angkor Thom.

Angkor Thom west gate

We pass into new territory. (panoramio)

washed out road section

Shortly after the gate, a section of the road is washed out; we opt for the lower (less thoroughly muddy) route around the temporary pond. (panoramio)

Micah at dirt road intersection

A little further, we come to an intersection. (There is not an obvious giant lake to tell us which way to go.)

Micah in dirt path and puddle

We try the straight-ahead path first, which shortly turns narrow and muddy; we double back to try turning north.

Back at the intersection, we follow the road north, which curves east and into an area with village houses.

Micah on dirt road house with water and stick fences boy on path through water to blue house

(panorammio)

truck on raised muddy road

After about fifteen minutes, we still haven't seen obvious signs of the Baray. Coming upon a particularly muddy section of road, we decide to ask for directions — an interesting proposition, not speaking the language. We point to the map in the front of the guidebook, asking where we are and saying where we want to go: 'water'. We get to communicating relatively quickly, and are directed a little further down the road, then to turn left at a store; and when we almost miss the turn, the man who we had stopped to ask catches up and sets us right.

path away from dirt road

We leave the main road for a smaller path between houses.

West Baray shore with boats

Success! A little way betwen houses, a short ascent, and at the crest of the hill we can see the water. We follow the path down towards it. (The boats are tempting, but neither ours nor entirely watertight.) (panoramio)

We come out almost even with the center island of the Baray, and marvel at its size — it looks like a lake, not an artificial reservoir. From the bank, it does not even have obvious linearity (plainly evident on maps) to give it away. (The island features the West Mebon, but we can't see it from where we are on the bank.)

West Baray panorama

We make our way back to the path along what we surmise to be the artificial embankment around the Baray, then make another foray down a little way back to the east, earning a better view of the shoreline (and a painful insect bite to the foot for Micah). Satisfied (and recovered), we head back along the hilltop path, though it eventually narrows and roughens and we cut back to the dirt road.

boat on West Baray

Eastward, plants have begun to retake the Baray.

ridge road

I enjoy a little offroad riding, and am pleased that my bike (though it fishtails a little in sandier sections) handles it well.

path between houses

We turn off the ridge road, bump down to and through someone's back yard, between houses, and eventualy back to the way we came.

dirt road with puddles

I am a constant admirer or the red dirt road against the surrounding green. (panoramio)

washed out dirt road section

We are back to familiar territory. It is not clear to us how the water carried away so neat a central chunk of the road. (panoramio)

Preah Kahn

The route to our next site, Preah Kahn, takes us back through Angkor Thom; we have second breakfast (not quite elevensies) in touristville. Micah takes the opportunity to have something Western — bananna pancakes — and I opt for pork fried rice.

young girl with hand on bike tire

Although we are as usual pounced on by children selling the ubiquitous postcards and bracelets, not all the children are working.

elephant with riding box

Micah observes that touring the ruins by elephant would be fittingly grand.

Fed, we ride north (with a reprise of the Elephant and Leper King's terraces) and out the north gate of Angkor Thom. (We have collected them all.)

Angkor Thom north gate, inside Angkor Thom north gate figure

Like the others, the north gate has guard figures lining the road outside. Most of them have had their heads looted (said to bring bad luck), but the occasional one retains its imposing visage.

Preah Kahn has, as are coming to expect, a moat and an impressive outer wall, reached by a causeway. Past the gate, the site is minimally preserved; it has both the interior chambers and corridors that are standard, and outdoor areas with stately raised walkways.

Preah Kahn exterior wall with carvings and ragged top

As is standard — and continues to bowl us over — every surface is (or was) intricately carved.

doorway carvings pillar carving with seated figure

It amazes us that not only is everything decorated, but the decorations continue to be novel in each new location.

door header carvings and plants

(panoramio)

corridor with open roof in rain

We get an afternoon rain.

along corridor in rain with people tree over wall past figure wall with carvings and ragged top two-storey columned structure and walkways

A first for us, Preah Kahn has a two-storied, pillared section.

exterior wall corner

The exterior wall is massive, but partially collapsed.

entrance walkway side moat and crossing walkway

We cross the moat again on our way out.

Neak Pean

Neak Pean is a pleasant, comparatively small set of pools. It has a refreshing garden-like feel. Although the pools themselves are not at high water, the arrival path is flooded, which makes it a fun walk in.

plank walkway over water from low level

(panoramio)

plank walkway past flooded sign

The flooded sign makes it clear this is not the default setup.

tower with reflecting pool

There is a central pool with a tower, with four smaller pools adjacent. They are aligned to the cardinal directions, as are all the temples. (panoramio)

Micah with arm out over water taking picture carving with lichen

(panoramio)

walkway between pools with sculptural structure

One of the smaller pools has red dragonflies over it, and small frogs which raise up a chorus for a few moments before settling back to the occasional chirrup. It is a peaceful stop.

East Mebon

We bike next to the East Mebon. It is in the center of what used to be the East Baray, the matching artificial reservoir to the one we have seen earlier in the day; this baray is now farmland.

The temple itself features a large raised central platform, and the whole is well above grade — previously, it was surrounded by water.

towers on the East Mebon

We learn later form the guide book that construction in this style covered a layer of brick with mortar bas-relief — the explanation for why everything is full of holes.

Micah beside elephant Micah photographing elephant

The elephant sculptures are inconveniently placed for mid-distance photography.

brickwork texture detail laterite detail

The understructure of this (like other) temple is laterite, now exposed due to weathering.

vertical section of tower

Odd pieces stay standing.

tower side with pitted bricks and worn bas relief

Pre Rup

Arriving at Pre Rup we get a late lunch, then get under cover in the temple as it starts to rain. The temple is similar in construction to the East Mebon: successive raised platforms with towers; laterite and pitted brickwork.

woman at bottom of temple staircase family descending temple staircase

The rain breaks for a moment, and we make our way up the temple, past a waterfall trickling down the steps.

rainy weather past temple top brickwork

(panoramio)

lions on wet temple edge

(panoramio)

tower and lion with countryside

It's easy to feel grand as we sit waiting for the rain to move on, at the top of the temple. (panoramio)

roofless hallway with Micah walking away

(panoramio)

Leaving, we pick up water, then head out to find our final site for the day.

Banteay Samre

We bike to the east, heading for Banteay Samre. We pass an intersection with a collection of shops, see a stray artillery piece in a field, and are nearing a landmark-looking hill which we surmise to be Phnom Bok when we decide it's time to ask for directions; we are directed back the way we came. Passing it again, we find the turnoff for Banteay Samre largely nondescript, but luckily spot it this time.

When we approach the park guards (for a ticket-check), however, they tell us that at 17:30 we are too late. Dusk is approaching, but we expect to have a little time; Micah suggests we take a quick look, having biked all the way out; they agree. We pedal the rest of the way down its road, stash our bikes at a handy tree (free of biting ants, we are conscious to check), and turn to exploring. There are a few other tourists at the site, but not many; we aim not to be the last out, having given a reprieve from strict rules of closure.

Micah in courtyard area in Banteay Samre

We agree it has yet another new, cool feel; like ornate apartments, with its complex of small chambers separated by balconies and courtyards, with steps down and up between each set. (panoramio)

courtyard with grass and wooden support

(panoramio)

cubic wooden support structure, low view along corridor

The hallways are particularly full of dark wooden support structures. (panoramio)

pillar bas relief

(panoramio)

We leave just as one of the guards is coming down the road, likely to check that we're not lingering too long. It is a brief tour of the site, and we could easily have spent longer, but at the finish of a full day of sight-seeing it is alright.

Evening

The sun finishes setting as we ride back to Siem Reap and the hotel.

dark rice field and water

Riding in the dark, I get a freak insect bite on the foot; it feels like a yellow-jacket sting, and I band-aid it for psychological comfort. As the evening deepends, we get lots of gnats to the face — unsurprising, as we are riding through what is essentially swampland, but no more pleasant for expectability.

For dinner, we try a very slightly fancy Chinese restaurant: open-fronted and with a bare concrete floor, but in-building. As we deliberate in front of it we are shown to a table, and discover that the menu is entirely in Chinese and Khmer: no English, and no ability to communicate with the waitstaff. We are on the verge of leaving when a phone call one of the waiters had made bears fruit, and a high-school age boy arrives. He translates for us, and sits with us to talk while we wait for our food.

He is easily conversant in English, chats with Micah in Thai as well, and even exchanges some French with me briefly. I am encouraged to hear that this last is a common language among the older generation, and with tuk-tuk drivers, though the hope of using French never bears fruit. It is also from him we learn the distinction between Cambodian (political) and Khmer (ethnic and linguistic).

The food is good, and despite choosing a fancy restaurant we are charged below-menu prices; 10,000៛ (about $2.50) for us both.

Although each leg is only a modest ride, our route for the day has taken us about 63Km (plus or minus detours and unmarked dirt paths) — about the same as our first day's ride from Ubon to Si Sa Ket.

Angkor: Far Sites by Tuk-Tuk

For our last day, we take a tour of the more outlying sites, again hiring a tuk-tuk for the day. We are up around six, and after applying sunblock and bug repellant, head out in search of breakfast. I — having seen them earlier — am on the lookout for bread things, and Micah spots a boy carrying a basketfull on his head; surprisingly, he changes a $20 for us (calling on some nearby adults to aid the endevour), and charges us $2 for four pieces. We have two slightly sweet, pita-shaped breads with sesame seeds; and two flakier, greasier pastries with meat filling.

road past bus station in Siem Reap in the morning

Contrary to previous experience, it takes us a little wandering around to find a tuk-tuk driver for the day. Given the distance we want for to travel, the price is $20; our driver won't be argued down, and it being a reasonable argument we go with it.

fields and water from bridge

Bakong

Our first stop is Bakong, east of Siem Reap. It has a suitably grand moat, the path across which is appropriately guarded with naga, but what impresses me is that the sky and time of day have conspired to treat us with well-lit stone against a comparatively dark sky: photographically, a treat.

Bakong front from a distance

(panoramio)

moat reflecting sky

(panoramio)

towers and lions

(panoramio)

elephant on corner

(panoramio)

stone block with crach and reinforcing bar

(panoramio)

outlying tower past platforms and animal figures

(panoramio)

naga rail end

Preah Ko

Second in a clump of three, we visit Preah Ko. It is under active restoration while we are there, with workers rebuilding and refinishing the exteriors of the towers.

Preah Ko front

(panoramio)

space between tower silhouettes with metal rack

(panoramio)

man with brick restoration

I am surprised by how deep the brickwork is, though comparison with a less eroded tower confirms the restoration's accuracy. (panoramio)

man carving pillar section

(panoramio)

turned column pieces with broken wall

(panoramio)

stone step with flouris

We notice the same style of flourish for stone steps here as at Bakong, the previous site; here, detached from any stairway. (panoramio)

store with people and fried snacks

Before continuing to our next stop, and in favor of the ready tourist-oriented vendors, we make a stop for fried fruit snacks at a shop down the road. (panoramio)

Lolei

Last in the cluster is Lolei, a set of four comparatively modest but significantly crumbled towers. Neighboring the temple ruins are a number of monestary buildings; the whole group is on a raised area of land.

Lolei towers

I do not notice until Micah points it out that the hill next to the more crumbled towers (on the left) is probably composed largely of bricks. (panoramio)

tower with supports

(panoramio)

building on pillars with orange cloths

(panoramio)

tower side with stap and figures

(panoramio)

Lolei in situ

(panoramio)

Kbal Spean

On our way to the next site, our tuk-tuk driver becomes concerned about a troublingly squeaky wheel. We make a stop for repairs.

driver and mechanic with tuk-tuk

Micah reads the guide book; I take pictures.

house with colored cloth on fence

We are back on the road before too long.

driver with police

We hit another snag when our driver goes around the wrong one-way side of a trianglular intersection; we wait while he is fined at the police station, conveniently located in the center of the same.

A few stops and some driving later, we make Kbal Spean at a bit after eleven. Although it is tempting to think of how far we are along our eventual departure route (now significantly north of Siem Reap), it is convenient not to have baggage or bikes to worry about — not to mention getting our bikes to the site, by tuk-tuk or otherwise. (A padded seat is still a nice rest.)

Kbal Spean is a set of carvings in a streambed; it is about a half hour's pleasant but strongly uphill hike to the main carvings, and then we follow the streambed down for a few more before hiking out.

path through forest figure in rushing water streambed carvings rock bridge with holes and tourists' feet

The main carvings are in (at the end of the rainy season) an area of rapids; just below them, the river disappears under a giant rock slab, reappearing shortly on the other side.

streambed lingas

The alternate name for the site is the Valley of 1000 Lingas; these are a few.

stone with lingas

Not all the carvings are (still) in the river.

small seated figures in rock face stick insect family in river

After the end of the carvings, there is a small waterfall, and below that a wide, shallow area.

It is easy to understand why this site was not (re)discovered until 1900 — not only is it somewhat remote from other sites, but up a fairly steep ascent, and often underwater. Both in spite and because of that, it seems to us like an especiall exciting one to discover.

Banteay Srei

Our final site — for the day and for the trip — is Banteay Srei. The guide book informs us (rightly) that it has impressively detailed and intact carvings (in fact, it even has signs saying not to touch them, which is a first); and that it is on a smaller scale than the other temples, feeling almost miniature. We are arriving at one of the recommended times: late afternoon, when the sun will emphasize all the bas-relief.

interdiction signs Banteay Srei towers doorway and surrounding carvings with figure group with umbrellas

It is hot in the sun.

dragon head arch on blocks

Around the periphary, there are re-assembled sections on blocks.

corner with head and naga naga corner from side naga group carved face detail column with faces writing on stone lintel carving figures and doorway face among carvings from below

Evening and Bicycle Repairs

We head back to Siem Reap. Although there is some of the day left, we are fairly temple-saturated, and we are also planning to see if we can find a shop to clean Micah's rear derailleur, which is still sounding a bit gritty.

rainbow over fields Micah and Mark in tuk-tuk field with house on pillars man in water

Once we're back in Siem Reap we stop by a few of the many bike shops, but although Micah is able to communicate our concern (pointing, making scratchy creaking sounds and turning his hands), the mechanics agree: it works, no problem.

So, we do it ourselves. After trying to find a container at a gas station store, we find an empty bottle and do our best to dry it out, then buy 1,000៛ of Diesel (as degreaser). (The attendants seem unsurprised to be filling a plastic bottle from a gas station pump.) We set up next to the hotel, dis-assemble Micah's derailleur onto a styrofoam tray, and he rinses the parts in diesel; we then realize that although we have chain lube, we don't have bearing grease for the cage pulleys. I go in search, wrapping one of the gears in a rag and taking it to aid communication.

Saying 'grease' and 'oil' and repeating the squaky-noise-and-motion routine, I am fairly quickly able to communicate some of the problem, but they people at the bike shop where I stop (just up the road) first offer chain lube. I persist, showing them the gear I brought; they look it over, popping out its little bushing, and then bring out bearing grease — a can of thick goop. I check the label, which indeed tells me (in English!) about application to bearings and the like. I ask to buy some, to back with me, but they don't sell cans; instead, one of the men scoops out a generous blob with a finger and sticks it in a spray-can cap. (They refuse any offer of payment.)

Micah with dis-assembled bike and parts

Although it is a little troubling to have half of one of our bikes in pieces at the furthest point of our journey, we do have the option of catching a bus or a pickup back to Thailand. Also, we are confident that in this state one of the bike shops would see that there was something to be fixed.

Micah with re-assembled bike and lights

Back by the hotel, Micah re-greases, and we re-assemble. It has gotten dark during the process, and the hotel manager brings us a light to plug in and work by; a few other people have stopped by curiously and been more or less helpful as well. Once everything's back together, Micah takes it for a quick ride: not actualy a lot different, but we're pleased to have had an adventure.

After that, we shower, then try the restaurant attached to the gas station next door. It's Chinese; we have pork fried noodles and milk shakes, all tasty ($7.50). Then, having gotten another fifty dollar bill at one of the ATMs in town earlier, we ask the pump attendants if they can change it; to our pleased surprise they do (after a bit of close inspection), even giving us ideal bills — a stack of ones, two fives and a ten. Back at the hotel, we do some writing, and are in bed around 20:30.

Up Next: Returning

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