Battambang in Cambodia
“The place of the fallen stick” is the exact translation of Battambang, which is the second largest city of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Such exotic names this pretty town is obliged to an ancient legend about a king who has lost his power, and the woodcutter named Dambang, dared to throw in the King that same stick.
According to legend, a stick made of rebellious woodcutter Kranong sacred tree, so she gave him superhuman strength. Dambangu managed to overthrow the king. However, justice prevailed, and after some time the son of the monarch, the young prince returned to his father’s possessions. Woodcutter threw a stick into a prince, but missed. Prince took his rightful throne, and the place where the magic stick fell, and was subsequently constructed the city of Battambang.
The modern Battambang largely preserved its ancient appearance. The tourist route that city included relatively recently, but it is in this city and the surrounding area can be more fully understand the real lives of the people of Cambodia. So, what should we look for in the city itself. Definitely worth going over the French colonial quarter, situated on the picturesque banks of the river. Such a walk is better to make no haste, be happy looking at the merchants trading houses, ancient buildings, some of which are masterpieces. Here on the waterfront is a tiny museum Battambang Provincial Museum which exhibits a very interesting and amazing beautiful works of art of the ancient Khmers.
As a tourist you must visit The Prasat Wat Ek Phnom, which is built in XI century church angkorianskoy era. The temple is located on the original platform, elaborately ornamented. Despite its venerable age, the ornament is well preserved. Next to the ancient temple delights the eye modern pagoda. The most interesting thing to get to the temple on the river on a boat. The next point that deserves attention is Phnom Banan. This temple has an interesting name XI century, built on a hill, offering stunning views. Photos taken at this point would be an ornament to your collection. Visiting temples, do not forget to take off your shoes and hats. Women are not encouraged to go to the temple in the clothing, the opening lap.
Treasury experience joins Active Camping Puoy so-called “lake of tears”. This is an artificial reservoir, created by the ancient Khmers. Above the water rises up the hill on top of which is again temple. You can climb to the top and look at the beauty around you with a bird’s eye view. To move around the city and its surroundings, you can rent a car or a motorcycle, and a car and driver. These services are available almost anywhere, just go outside. Extra bonus – taxi drivers are mostly well spoken in English and should be able to help with the excursion program. Do not want to deal with the issue on their own transport, you can take a tour of Battambang and its surroundings, the world’s single bamboo train. This train, at the time, was intended to help local villagers in the carriage of goods. Now they are mostly tourists, but locals there can be met. During the trip allowed on the platform, where very nice to look at tropical landscapes.
To get to and from Battambang best on the water, on a boat or a boat, this is if you are staying in Siem Reap. Tour price about $ 20. Such trips especially prefer to tourists because they can look at the country from the “inside”. The path passes first through the vast Tonle Sap lake, and then the river Sangker on which the houses on stilts, as well as floating homes are a family of fishermen. In the rainy season the road will take about four hours in the dry season there may be delays because of the level of water in the river.
The restaurants and cafes Battambang offer mostly Chinese, Cambodian and Thai cuisine. National Cambodian cuisine has a number of interesting features. Locals eat everything. Everything crawl, fly, jump and swim. Yes, yes, along with the legs, antennae, and that there still is a local fauna. In the restaurants of the city, in the small cafes and even on the streets you can try such exotica as “a-ping” – spiders, fried with salt and garlic, fried grasshoppers (there is a whole, cheerfully crackling), snake meat soup, which will cook in your presence.
The taste, by the way, resembles chicken, but a few more tender. If insects and reptiles are not to your liking, has a lot of seafood. Prepare them amazing, however, as in all Asian countries. Flora, in principle, also has the potential to become your dinner. Many plants are eaten. Where else can happen to try sprouts water lilies and fig tree? The basis of local food – rice. It is made a hundred different ways: boiled, fried seafood, with shoots of plants, with soybeans and pork and even bananas. Try all this beauty can be, for example, in a restaurant Phkay Proek.
Souvenirs are on the market, as well as on the main street of the city. The price difference is small. On the main street of many stores offering the products of local craftsmen. Some of them are really worth seeing. Visit markets and shops are best in the morning, they work up to four hours, but even looking at the middle of the day, there is a risk not finding dealers in the workplace. They have a siesta!
Hotels in Battambang are scarce. Most often, this town is not seen as the final destination. Basically it is visited with guided tours from Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. However, in recent years, the tourism infrastructure is developing. The most famous hotels – La Villa Battambang, Teo hotel and Stung Sangke. And yet, despite the poor infrastructure, visit Battambang costs. Right now, in this city there is a chance to see life in Cambodia as it really is. Not colorful posters for tourists, but a reality.
The combination of ancient, sometimes tragic stories with serenity and slow pace of people living here. Bright tropical colors and beautiful old buildings. Lotus flowers growing everywhere, even in small roadside puddles. All this, as well as goodwill and constant smile of local people will be remembered forever.
