An hours drive today out into the countryside to a small but arguably the most beautiful temple Bantreay Srei. 
We set off in good time as the fifty pence alarm clock I'd bought yesterday went off an hour early.
Many of the carvings remain in good condition unlike other temples and each tells a story. Here we see Shiva sitting on his throne at the summit of Mount Kailasa while his terrified wife , Parvati, hovers near his left knee and clinging to his shoulder. Shiva prepares in an act of retaliation to bring the whole weight of the mountain on his enemy Ravana (who had tried to get into their house the week before but was stopped by the monkey guardian). Still with me?...Good I'll continue.....So the mountain falls on Ravana and crushes him. Ravana acknowledges Shivas power (lets face it we all would) and sings his praises for a 1000 years. As a reward Shiva sets him free and gives him a sword (eh?). The other figures you see are creatures, hermits and animals (strange combination) living on the mountain who express terror and flee to the jungle. Now just imagine how many carvings there are and you will realise how rich a culture the Khmers have.
After all that I stopped for pancakes (made in a sandwich machine ...flash) and pineapple. After more temples I had read about the Cambodian Landmine Museum Releif Fund and the amazing story of the museums owner Aki Ra man who personally has cleared 50000 mines in the past after being forced to lay them in the war. Often at the request of local villages. The museum is part of a co-operation with the Cnadian NGO working to reduce land mine casualties and rehabilitate the injured...often innocent children or farming folk.
If you want to learn more about this fascinating story and the fund please go to http://www.cambodianlandminemuseum.org/
As we were well out of the city I asked Theuor if he knew anyone in a local village as I'd like to meet the familys and see how they live. Theour knows lots of local people and we visited some. If you click on this picture you will see one of the villages chicken's time was up!
The palm trees are put to all kinds of uses. Here the leaves are being cut into strips for crafts. I was treated to the palm tree fruit which is super tasty. Especially if left in ice for a while.
Theuor explained the wells are often funded by local or foreign businesses and in some cases by well meaning individuals. Clean water is key to village life. What a great afternoon I was made so welcome and Theuor translated between us. Keen as ever to improve his already good English. A lot better than my Cambodian although after a crash course over pancakes this morning I'm now fluent in nine words! Tomorrow I will try them for real............
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