The Body Turner at Pre Rup in Siem Reap, Cambodia

We were not planning to stop at Pre Rup. As we crossed the East Baray, the red towers against tufts of cumulus would not let me continue without walking through the mid tenth century beauty.

A modern road mercilessly cuts through the outermost enclosure. Like every other temple in Siem reap, only the temple survives. In ancient times, the temple would be surrounded with other buildings of day to day use. Palaces, kitchens, schools. Not a trace of them can be found any more. The common theory is that they were built with an easily destructible material like wood and did not survive the parasite called time.

The temple is typical with a series of tall straight steps leading up the three layers as are the two prominently visible guardian lions.

The central Sanctuary of Pre Rup. The name is obviously different and rolls beautifully on the tongue. It is locally pronounced pray roop and was once spelt Preah Rup like most other temples.

The vertigo inducing view of the cistern surrounded courtyard from the top.

It was barely 10:30 and I had finished three major sites. The plan was to return to the hotel to beat the sun, order a cold beer, find an empty hammock and sort photographs. After all vacation is not about sightseeing.