The Ruins of Sambar Prei Kuk

We left early to Kampung Thom on a minivan; it costed us USD10 per person for an air-conditioned minivan with wifi (but it wasn't working!) and the trip took around 4 hours. I was a bit phobic of journey in buses and minivans since I get motion sickness easily, especially when we were give the back seats this time, hence I prayed hard not to puke during the 4 hours drive!

The journey was again uneventful, and we reached in Kampung Thom for lunch, according to schedule. We were picked up by a local driver whom we booked online to drive us to Sambar Prei Kuk, located around an hour away from this little cowboy town. He dropped us to our hotel where we put down our backpacks, and we started our journey in his antique black Toyota Accord.

There were not much people there when we arrived at its public car park, and we were already being greeted by official tour guides who offered themselves for a trivial amount of money in addition to the compulsory entrance fee. Well, to help out in the local economy we agreed doing so, since we needed explanation on the ruins anyway! 

The ruins in Sambor Prei Kuk are totally different from the ones in Angkor Wat as they are off a different era; it was originally known as Isanapura, the capital of the Chenla Empire in the early 7th century. They are mainly constructed by bricks, and with its extraordinary construction methods it is standing solidly after 1400 years! 

 

Sadly, the statues inside the ruins were already transported to the National Museum in Phnom Penh (which we visited 2 days ago!). Hence what is left there are hollow shrines and temple complexes, standing still in the rustling woods of the Cambodian jungle. 

One of the temple complexes has guardian lions which I find is distinctive from the others; the lions have braided hair! Rastafarian lions, awesome! 

Honestly, I was somehow worried that we might be attacked by tigers or leopards since we were in the middle of nowhere in the jungle visiting abandoned ruins, but seeing these tour guides wandering around the area with little children pedlars, I figured we might be safe. 

We were trailed by this kid trying to sell us off his wares; I was touched by his persistence but then the scarves he was selling was of poor quality. I thought of just giving him a USD1 for being adamant but then it would properly encouraged him to beg next time. So I just smiled and shook my head whenever he pop up the question "Sir, you want to buy scarves?" 

We journeyed back to Kampung Thom and it was already evening; like any other cowboy town it was almost empty but night fall except for the well-lit hotels and restaurants along the main street. We walked from our hotel to forage for food but was left with limited choices so we just picked the one next to the Strung Tsen river. And the amok was again delicious. :)