Closing the Preah Vihear chapter

The entranceway to Gopura IV in the Baphuon style rather than the sweeping gables of Koh Ker

These final photos from my first-ever visit to Preah Vihear temple in March 2002 on the Cambodian-Thai border, bring to a close my feature on a temple that has made the headlines every day for the past few weeks. Currently troops from both countries face each other on top of the mountain and there's seemingly little chance of a quick resolution, but I live in hope that sense will prevail soon. When I made that memorable trip in 2002 the border was also closed and I was so lucky to have the temple to myself, with just Sokhom, my moto-driver and best pal from Kompong Thom, for company. We had to battle against the elements including a thunderous downpour and thick fog, but my visit was one that will stay with me forever and I hope my pictures have given you a sense of Preah Vihear at that time and why this temple is so important to Cambodia as a new World Heritage site, because of its amazing location, its wealth of decorative elements and its unique composition.

A ground-hugging naga-lined platform leading to steps up to Gopura II

The path around the outside of the temple leading towards the cliff-edge

The western face of the outer building that runs alongside the central sanctuary

A ruined building inside one of the inner courtyards

This causeway is 150m in length and stretches between Gopura IV in the distance and Gopura III

Preah Vihear has impressive fortress-like walls to deter invaders

The sheer drop from the south-east corner of the central sanctuary

Sokhom cuts a solitary figure as he peers into a hazy Cambodia below

And this was the view he had from the edge of the most southernly cliff with northern Cambodia spread before him