Siem Reap : Beng Melea
I took a tour organised by Villa Siem Reap to Beng Melea, a temple 60 kms from Siem Reap, actually much larger than I expected and exotic because it is overgrown with trees and vines. The history of the site is still a bit of a mystery but it is thought to be the prototype for Angkor Wat; it is of the temple mountain style. The central tower has collapsed, much of the temple is in chaos, just piles of stones and getting around it was often a challenge. In spite of that, the remaining portions are quite evocative and its carvings impressive.
Just three in the group and we got on well and enjoyed the outing. We stopped briefly at a ‘joss stick factory’ which turned out to be a private house with people who (along with their neighbours) made joss sticks (incense) for a living. What I did enjoy greatly was their front garden where joss sticks were displayed in sets which resembled plants .. an incense garden (see photo below).
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The fine print
Date of travel : December 2008
country information (includes a map) : CIA Handbook
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