I saw two different temple sites today. In the morning I went to Koh Ker, then stopped at Beng Mealea on my way to Siem Reap.


Koh Ker consists of 180 individual sites spread out over 30 square miles. Not all the sites can be visited, as the area was previously heavily mined, and some of the areas have not yet been cleared.
Here are some of the various sites I visited.

Prasat Pram

Prasat Neang Khmau

Prasat Chen

Prasat Balang
This one (and the next) are two of three Linga-Shrines just along side the road, which were built to house a phallic sculpture inside.

Prasat Thneng

Prasat Kra Chap

Prasat Banteay Pir Chean

Prasat Chrap

Prasat Damrei

           

Prasat Aob Neang

Prasat Thom

           

Prasat Prang

           

It’s been interesting to see trees around Koh Ker that have outgrown their foundation. Some have gotten large enough to tip over the blocks that they’re growing on top of. But some have gotten lucky, and while falling over have been caught by a neighboring tree
           

Of the three sites I’ve seen in the last two days, Beng Mealea is probably the most interesting looking, but it was also the most crowded, which took a little bit away from it. Preah Vihear (from yesterday) probably would be the one I’d recommend the most, just because it’s so fascinating to get to explore the place all by yourself.

Back to Beng Mealea…not much is known about it’s history, but based on the architectural style, it’s assumed that it was built in the 12th century.
As far as what destroyed it, no one seems to have any definitive answers. So at this point, I’d say that the most logical answer is that the damage was sustained during an alien attack.

That’s all for today, except for one photo from my ride from Beng Mealea to Siem Reap
This pig was alive and squirming around when I rode by…