Banteay Srei ***

Dear Readers,

a little more than 20 km north of the main temples of Angkor, almost at the foot of the Kulen Mountains, sits the remarkable small temple of Banteay Srei. The name, deliberately translated into modern English means "Citadel of the Women" or more poetically perhaps, "Citadel of Beauty" and presumably refers to the delicacy of its decoration and its small size. As you might know, great things come in small quantities :-)
Interestingly, this beauty-jewel amongst the temples was not dedicated to any member of the royal family, but rather to one of the counselors of the king with the difficult name. This influential adviser was granted this land on the upper banks of the Siem Riep river, which I guess dried up a few hundred years ago as there was no trace of water around.

Stay with me as I get imprisoned, ride wooden horses and pet elephants in the Khmers' fabulous temples.

Cheers,

Mat