How to Spend Your Free Day in Siem Reap: Explore the Temples of Beng Mealea & The Pyramid of Koh Ker

For our last day in Siem Reap, we were free of any sort of itinerary, and although we would be leaving at night, Access Travels seemed to have overlooked the fact that we were indicated to check out this noon. It was a good thing though that I've been studying our schedule nonstop before this trip, so we already booked for an extension the night before. Aside from the $13, I also decided to book a tour with Klook on our Free Day in Siem Reap:

Koh Ker and Beng Mealea Day Tour

The tour itself was provided by Siem Reap Shuttle and it was a good thing that they do Hotel Pick-up at a designated time. So by the time we woke up and got ready for our day, we were already waiting at the lobby after having had a hearty breakfast:

Mom with her tea and omelette..

..and I decided to try their version of Continental Breakfast! #ILoveTheirChocolateCroissant

Turns out that after our shuttle service picked us up (and a couple others in the area), we were then deposited at a cafe meeting place where we were then segregated into our proper transport service:

If you clicked the previous link I attached for Klook, you'd know that our first stop would be Beng Mealea which is located a couple of hours northeast of Siem Reap. It's said to be one of the most mysterious temples as it has been consumed by the jungle. Also, this temple if part of the Angkor Wat Pass so you have to make sure you've got the 2-day or more if you're planning to explore these parts of Siem Reap.

Upon arriving at the area of Beng Mealea, we had to walk a short distance in order to get inside the main temple proper. Once inside, you'd get to see how nature has taken its toll on the structures and walk the planks built for tourists as you further explore the nooks and crannies of Beng Mealea.

Climbing up here to see the Central Library

A peek at the well-preserved library of the collapsed central tower

Yes, going through this dark tunnel is part of the tour.

It's also nice that the place has seemingly interactive areas where you can strike a really nice pose (or maybe our tour guide, G1, was just really creative). Also, if you're lucky, you can probably spot a flying squirrel too! (I don't know what it's locally called, but it looked a hella like a flying squirrel..)

Getting closer to the exit..

Ending the first half of our Klook tour, we now headed to the are of Koh Ker where we stopped by to buy some Passes before heading to the location itself.

Arriving at our destination, we were greeted with the sight of these shops at the entrance and the loud sounds of a thousand cicadas. Though the sound does lessen in its volume when you continue to get deeper into the area, heading for the Pyramid of Koh Ker.

Deeper still..

There it is!

The Pyramid is spectacular up close, but the dry weather seems to have afforded it a much rougher edge. Still it did somewhat seem much safe to climb to the top.

Yes, we did climb to the top

Though we didn't stay that long on top since the weather was unforgiving in its heat, but the view (and photos) were worth the climb:

View from up top!

Long way down..

Land bound and heading back.. #NotGrassButAMoat

Grabbing a quick lunch by the market area just by the entrance, my mom and I decided to share a plate of fried rice since I wasn't too hungry (and neither was she as it seemed..)

It's a my new local favorite

After lunch, G1 decided to show us some of the smaller (lesser known) temples around the area before finishing for the day:

It's called the Black Temple (maybe they tried to burn it down before..?)

The Temple of Vines (or how I pictured that in my head..)

Arriving back at the town proper of Siem Reap at around 5 in the afternoon, we had enough time to freshen up, pack up the last of our things and prepare for our departure this 8PM. But first, dinner!

Who wouldn't miss pizza after such an adventure?? #SeafoodFlavor 

Tried their Marguerite Pizza 'cuz I miss the one back home #NothingBeatsHomeTho

Once we'd had our fill of food, Mr. Kong finally came to pick us up at around 7:30PM to drop us off at the Bus Station. That's right people, we're still heading to someplace else in the country of Cambodia.

Welcome to the Night Bus!

That's right guys, we'll be arriving at Sihanoukville early the next morning and I hope we'll enjoy our stay not. Up next, find out how we ever got to survive our stay and well, I guess the island wasn't that bad..