Banteay Srei was for many years kept off the visitor map by Khmer Rouge activity. It is now under government control and possible to visit this jewel. The temple contains the finest pink sandstone bas relief of the ancient world and is the most beautiful of all Angkor. The fine bas relief carving measures at times from two to five inches in depth in many areas. The work is particularly well preserved even though it was built in the 10th century ( contemporary with the Maya and a little earlier than Notre Dame Cathedral) as a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.
The temple, not particularly extensive, is square with the entrance via a causeway at the east side. Of particular interest inside are the three towers decorated with male and female divinities of beautiful filigree work.
I am so glad that we took the time to travel the extra 15-20 km to view this gem!
After lunch we visited Preah Neak Pean , a 12th century Buddhist temple by Jayavarman II. It consists of four small pools arranged on each axis and in the center is an island encircled by two nagas intertwined. It was used for ritual purification and was once in the center of a huge 3km by 900km lake, now dried up and overgrown.
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