Beng Melea is a fascinating temple complex situated about 80km by road from Siem Reap ‐ about one-and-a-half hours by tuk-tuk. Unlike many of the popular temples at Angkor Wat, Beng Melea is largely unrestored ‐ in fact the site was only declared safe from landmines in 2007. Very little noticeable reconstruction and restoration work has been done and this gives you a real feel for what the temples of Angkor must have been like when they were originally rediscovered.

After two days of visiting the temples at Angkor, Kate elected to spend the day chilling at the pool at the Green Garden Home Villa hotel were we were staying. Early on our third-day in Siem Reap, I set off with our dependable and friendly tuk-tuk driver for one of Angkor's hidden treasures.

The ride to the temple complex in the back of the tuk-tuk was long and wind-blown. At some point during the journey my Lonely Planet guidebook blew away never to be seen again and later my sunglasses blew off my head and were promptly run over by a passing car! Still, a few losses were definitely worth the experience of Beng Melea!

The first impression I had upon arriving was how peaceful and quiet the site was: other than a few staff there were no people there ‐ no tour buses, no crowds, no vendors. It felt like a forgotten paradise after the mayhem of Siem Reap. Over the rest of the day I didn't see more than a handful of other people there.

Walking towards the entrance from the parking lot, the next thing that stuck me was the state of the site. It resembled a city in the wake of a massive earthquake. Walls had crumbled, arches had collapsed and huge piles of sandstone blocks were piled high into the air. Accessing some parts of the temple was only possible by squeezing through tight gaps between the massive blocks &dash the staff will point the way through.

Unfortunately I didn't have a guide to show me the site but I would definitely recommend one if you get the chance.

Not a lot is known about Beng Melea but I spent a whole day exploring in, under and around this incredible and wonderous site. Without doubt, it was the top highlight of my time at Angkor Wat and Siem Reap. It's a lost temple that allows you to experience what it must have felt like for the first explorers to rediscover Angkor. Ta Prohm is known as the Tomb Raider temple, but if you truly want to feel like Indiana Jones or Lara Croft, this is the real place to do it.