The ancient temple complex of Wat Nokhor isn’t far from Kampong Cham and gives a small idea of what massive Angkor Wat is like if you haven’t visited yet. Built out of sandstone and laterite, it dates from the last years of the reign of King Sayavarman II in the Eleventh Century and has a central tower surrounded by four walls. Like Angkor Wat, Wat Nokhor is a Hindu complex with a modern Buddhist stupa built in the center in later years.
The complex is rarely visited by tourists and with only a few other French people, it was a pleasure to walk around in peace and quiet, admiring magnificent carvings including those of Apsara (female spirit of the clouds and waters), Buddha images and temple remains.
monk meditating at Wat Nokhor, Cambodia
small tourist group in Wat Nokhor, Cambodia
entrance into Wat Nokhor Temple, Cambodia
King Jayavarman II is recognized as the founder of the Khmer Empire which ruled much of Southeast Asia for more than 600 years but it was Sayavarman II who actually built Angkor Wat Temple. I happen to think that Angkor Thom, established by Jayavarman VII is the most visual temple in the Angkor Wat complex with Jayavarman’s faces inscrutably looking down in all directions.
Wat Nokhor Temple cavings, Cambodia
Wat Nokhor buddha image, Cambodia
inside the new Buddhist Temple, Wat Nokhor, Cambodia
Leaving Wat Nokhor, we continued driving towards Phnom Penh to catch a flight to Bangkok on the same god-awful roads the trip began on. Road construction on the torn-up, one lane in each direction road made the drive a nightmare with constant dust filtering in through the air conditioning system, heavy traffic, ruts and holes.
baskets on a motorbike in Cambodia
children going to school, Cambodia
bags of charcoal for sale along road in Cambodia
Somewhere along the way “Chinese Fishing Net Boats” stood along the Mekong. Steve and I first saw them in Cochin, India where it is believed they were introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan, over 600 years ago. They are stationary and lower large fishing nets via a system of counterbalances. These boats catch small fish which are then smoked and sold at stands by the river.
Chinese net fishing boats along the Mekong, Cambodia
dried fish for sale in Cambodia
The drive which began in Stung Treng this morning took nine hours to Phnom Penh International Airport and we got out of the car, completely wrung out and exhausted.
Phnom Penh International Airport, Cambodia
In the flurry of getting items, suitcases and all belongings for departure, I don’t even remember if we properly expressed thanks to both Heng and Key for their hard work; possibly since Asian airports are a madhouse outside. Entire families and friends come to see passengers off and mill around!
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