On the way to Kep the road is lined sporadically with Buddhist archways on the left, all leading to temples. Here is one of them, with a wide angle lens I could have gotten a better shot but given the surrounding jungle/wall situation this was the best I could do. The roof was the most interesting part I promise.
A closer look at the immense amount of detail.
I have tried to capture the temple with my camera but there is really no way to compare pictures to the feeling of being there and standing in front of this ancient building.
Unfortunately there was no one around who spoke English to tell me the story of when and why the temple was built, there was however this monk and his friend who insisted on having a picture taken with me in front of a statue of a monkey and an elephant both bowing down to Buddha. I tried to figure out what the story behind the statue was but impromptu sign language only got me as far as explaining how to take a picture with my video camera.
Not to leave the friend out I snapped one of them together.
After visiting this temple I was pointed in the direction of another temple and cave. The path lead me through many rice fields and farms, which turned out quite useful because I had to ask directions (in pseudo-sign language of course) many times along the way.
I eventually reached the temple, which rested on top of a mountain with an intricate network of caves below. I was informed before that the best way to see the caves was to pay one of the local kids a dollar and have them show you. So that's exactly what I did.
It was a good thing I did too because there would have been absolutely no possible way for me to find and follow the jungle paths that this guy took me on.
Once inside the bat cave as it is called, we had to switch to seeing by flashlight and video camera light. He made some jokes about Batman and then shined his light on the ceiling to show me that there were in fact bats in this cave. I was impressed by the five or six that I saw but then we went further and he asked me if I was ready. I said okay not really knowing what to expect as he shined his flashlight at a very dark part of the cave ceiling. It was at that point that I understood why it was called the bat cave. It sounded as if there was a giant gust of wind roaring through the cave as hundreds of bats swirled above my head. We both ducked down lower to the ground to avoid the bats until they settled down. He explained after that they don't like the light, I couldn't stop laughing for some time after.
Here is another chamber of the cave closer to the surface with a statue of Buddha.
And next to him the white elephant (the long part is the trunk).
While we were in the cave magic hour had begun and I found myself atop the temple looking out at a beautiful view of the farms I had just crossed.
Then it was off to Kep for my delightful crab dinner (postings a bit out of order but oh well).
I love what a dollar gets you!
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