View of Prasat Beng Mealea - which have been covered with thick forestWe've continued our journey from Phnom Kulen to the Beng Mealea. The road as expected as bumpy as to the Phnom Kulen. What do you expect in a rural area of Cambodia! But surprisingly they even charge toll for vehicles that used this road - about USD 2.50 a way. WTH! Another thing is - Beng Mealea as Phnom Kulen is not part of your Angkor Wat pass, you need to pay an extra USD 5 to enter the site.
Beng Mealea fulls of extensive carving of Hindu mythologies - this one are scene from Churning of the Sea of Milk, famous scene in Angkor temple. I'll explain it later on other post.
Beng Mealea situated about 60 km east of Siem Reap. Scholars still haven't found exact answer on why this temple was built quite far from the Angkor complex. It was believe to be built by King Suryavarman II around late 11th or early 12th century. This temple was built dedicated to Hindu and one of the most original temple that been left eaten by hundred years old of rain forest. "This temple being kept this way so that the new generation will know how Angkor looks like when it's been abandoned and later found by French explorer. Even some scene from Lara Croft : The Tomb Rider taken from here. The Hollywood's producer do helps in restoring this place by placing wood platforms for visitors to appreciate the beauty of this temple. "Dara explained while we eating at food stalls nearby the temple entrance.
Wait, does I mention eating? Well, one of the difficulties that I suffered in Cambodia is to look for Halal food. This food stalls selling rice with others like chicken, beef, pork and fish. As I noted, they cook it separately using different pots - I confidently asked for tamarind soup with fish and a bowl of rice. Well I couldn't asked for chicken or beef since I'm not sure how they sloughter it; and pork is no-no for me. Still I can enjoy my lunch together with Dara.
Wait, does I mention eating? Well, one of the difficulties that I suffered in Cambodia is to look for Halal food. This food stalls selling rice with others like chicken, beef, pork and fish. As I noted, they cook it separately using different pots - I confidently asked for tamarind soup with fish and a bowl of rice. Well I couldn't asked for chicken or beef since I'm not sure how they sloughter it; and pork is no-no for me. Still I can enjoy my lunch together with Dara.
From left : ruined of Beng Mealea - apparently they our of grant to restore this temple fully, "Gosh! We've lost - even Dara lookings for way out!".
From left : bridge to central sanctuary - "I've took break for Solat above this platform. Lucky I've brought compass and praying mats with me", library of the temple.
Beng Mealea has been declared safe from landmines, so you guys can walk freely around it. The temple looks that it have been abandoned hundred years and a lot of its part was covered with Thick forest. Even the locals claimed that the surrounds have lots of wildlife such as water buffalo, elephant, tiger etc. A walk through this temple made you feels like the previous explorer and guess what? Only both of us were here - we have the whole temple to explore by ourselves. Good timing!
Above pictures showed different part of Beng Mealea, I've took a lot of picture as every angles of it were so beautiful and majestic! I wonder how people from past have the knowledge to build this temple. Guess its must be guided by God All Mighty.
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