Last Day in Siem Reap

  Today we had the morning "off". After breakfast I got on the Internet with my iPad and uploaded the text for the previous two days blog postings. Still couldn't upload any pictures as the iPad browser

doesn't have the necessary capability. Then Chris appeared and we chatted for quite some time during which he seemed fascinated with the operation of the iPad. I think I convinced him he needs one. It was nice sitting there by the pool and we had a few gin & tonics (for medicinal purposes only of course!). They are supposed to help ward off malaria. Than in the afternoon we made the trek out to another temple, Beng Mealea. This twelfth century temple has only been open to the public since 2007, when mine sweeping operations were completed in the surrounding area.

  The really interesting thing about this temple is that is almost in the exact "natural" state of disrepair as when "discovered" in the early 1900's. Except for the addition of a series of wooden boardwalks to

ease access, no actual reconstruction has been done. Anyway, you can pretty much climb all over the ruins to your heart's content, at your own risk, of course. Found some very nice, well preserved examples of the multi-headed cobra symbols at some of the temple gates.

After returning to Siem Reap, we had dinner at a French restaurant. I had a beef dish that was excellent. Went back to the hotel early and started organizing and packing for the early departure the next day.

As an aside, if you click on the  photos they appear in larger format.