Sambor Prei Kuk
Hire a moto-taxi to take you to the complex. It's an approx. 2 hours ride through nice scenery and small villages with friendly inhabitants. The Pre-Angkorian site dates back to the beginning of the 7th century and was the capital of the Chenla-Kingdom. Unlike Angkor, the temples are constructed from brick and sandstone. The complex consists of three main groups: Central Group, South Group, North Group, all covered by shady forest.Whilst 'talked up' by the guide books Sambor Prei Kuk is a disappointment for people expecting temples that even vaguely vie with some of the other Khmer examples. At $3 for a ticket its just about worth it though most of the temples appear to resemble 19th century European brick kilns. Lots of kids hanging around latch on to any visitors theres not that many so the 'peaceful' temple in the jungle experience doesn't really happen. Whilst probably important in an historic context a visitor to Cambodia with little time should probably give this temple a miss Beang Meala outside DomDek is far better.
Phat Sanday
is a large and remote floating village at the mouth of the Sen River Stoung Sen. Despite Kompong Thom being the nearest town, it is about 80-90km down the meandering river. A boat leaves Kompong Thom for Phat Sanday everyday at aroud 10:00am. The driver will sit in the boat, beneath the large bridge waiting for customers. On asking, the price was $15 per person. It is unconfirmed where the boat finally ends up - although possibly Kompong Chnang, on the southern side of the Tonle Sap lake.Kompong Thom is the starting point for an adventurous tour to the seldom visited jungle plains of northern Cambodia. This 3-4 days motorbike ride to Preah Vihear is offered by some of the moto-taxi drivers, who will propose it to you once they spot you getting off the bus. With you sitting on the back of the bike, your driver will take you through peaceful villages and rice paddies, passing by friendly locals, spending a night with a local family and visiting the temples of Preah Khan Kompong Thom and Koh Ker on your way. A part of the journey leads you along an old Angkorian road and over its ancient bridges. The ride itself is hardship, skidding over sticks and stones, through sand oceans and bamboo forest, sometimes fording small rivers. From Preah Vihear, you will head to Siem Reap via Anlong Veng, the place where Pol Pot is said to have died.
