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The last of the ancient Khmer temples that we visited in Cambodia was Banteay Srei. Its size and color set it apart from the imposing gray bulk of Angkor Wat-style temples. Banteay Srei is a beautiful small temple built in 967 from terra-cotta-colored sandstone by a counselor to the king. Its miniature scale—low walls, small doorways, and shrines no more than 30 feet high—may reflect the counselor’s desire not to be seen competing with the king in grand temple building. Although small, Banteay Srei boasts more intact decoration than any surviving Khmer temple. Unfortunately, it's very popular, and the small size packs all the tourists into a tight space, so despite its beauty, it wasn't as much fun to explore as the other temples.