Kampot in Cambodia
Quiet and unobtrusive, Kampot continues to be very popular destination for tourists visiting Cambodia. The city is located in the south-western peak of the mountain range Pnum Damrey, although often it is called the Bokor. People come here to relax in the lap of beautiful nature. Staying here is unhurried and interesting in any point of view.
Tourists prefer to drink alcohol and slowly raft on the river, which flows near the city. The town is full of old French architecture and partially destroyed. In the same state is an old bridge over the river. These places were fighting, the bridge was completely destroyed the Khmer Rouge, and after the war, partly restored.
The city looks very entertaining – some of the buildings half destroyed, and some – not completed. Everywhere you can find construction sites. Street lighting in the city almost there, so walking is better to finish before dark. Not far from the town, eight kilometers, are limestone caves. The most interesting of them – Phnom Chnork.
Inside it is Shiva’s temple from seventh century. Temple is quite small – only one room. Temples in our time is very popular among the local population, despite the professed Buddhism. The locals make offerings, light incense. On the rise in the cave are modern statue of the Buddha and the monks, too, next to which you can see the bounty.
Recently, these places have become one of Cambodia’s routes for eco-tourists. This is facilitated by the largest national park in Cambodia – Bokor, which starts at 40 km from Kampot. Here you can see not only the flora and fauna, but for the inexperienced traveler would be enough. Of interest are also the ruins of the French casino and hotel. Park amazing variety of landscapes, there exist jungle rocky outcrops, streams, waterfalls and caves. The park is about 140,000 hectares.
French knowingly chose this area of ??Cambodia for recreation and entertainment. The place is located in the jungle on a fairly high plateau (1100 m), and with a magnificent view of the Gulf of Siam. The nearby waterfalls system can cool off in the natural pools. Also near is the working Buddhist temple, which is available to the public.
Just want to warn is not to expect an easy walk, and the march, march-like throw. It is best to stock up on water, good comfortable shoes and your own food. Enjoy nature and the ruins will be much nicer, taking care of comfort.
The road to the park entrance is in poor condition, so that the jeep is the best option of transportation. You will move to more of a dense wilderness. The next part of the route a little too heavy, as there is a lift at 45 degrees to the picturesque hill. Here it is useful to you good shoes, which you took care of first. At the end of the climb – the road which will bring you to the top of the hill to the picturesque ruins. Going on the road, you get to the fog that took you up to the top of the hill, taking the bizarre shape. Many tourists consider this fog individual attractions Bokor.
Bokor Hill history is full of events. It starts with the appearance of Cambodia French. While local people sought to populate the free space away from intruders. One of those places was the present territory of Bokor National Park. There have emerged whole villages. French resolutely stopped the practice, but appreciated the scenic area on Bokor. In a short time there was a road, hotel and casino, post office, the gaedarmerie, the church and other buildings necessary for life.
Bokor Palace Hotel quickly gained immense popularity. Even the local poor people trying to catch the tail of luck here, but they are rarely successful. Those who lost in this casino, commits suicide by jumping off a cliff, not far from the building. When the French left, the village of Bokor Hill quickly settled residents. Then there were the bombings of the U.S. Air Force, the Khmer Rouge and other shocks. Bokor Hill is located in the center of all these vicissitudes. In 1998, this had a massive clearance and declared it a national park.
The ruins are worth watching, starting with the central palace and ending with the church. All survived quite well, there is something to see. This place is the main attraction of Bokor Hill. Amazing creation, which is the undisputed masterpiece of the modern era, now long in the past. In our time, it just ruins, when you look at that in the veins of blood-curdling, and especially when the round fog or drizzling rain. Examination is to start with the building of the former casino Bokor Palace Hotel, which is located in the center of the plateau.
This building’s architecture resembles a medieval castle. Almost destroyed the walls of gray stone, which is almost entirely covered with ivy, broken windows create a feeling that before you haunted house. The interior reinforces the impression. Endless series of rooms, long dark corridors, mold on the walls, dripping water from the ceiling, the remains dilapidated stairs and doorways create an impression of neglect and the presence of something otherworldly. At some point, it seems that now the corner will be the ghost of the former owners of the castle or lose a client, which again is going to jump off the cliff. Visit the church will allow you to see the surviving stained glass windows and a cross, which still hangs on the wall inside. In general, to obtain the maximum enjoyment from watching, just a few hours.
Near the remains of the former greatness of building a new hotel and casino. The Cambodian government wants to revive the former glory of Bokor Hill and again to make this place the same attraction for tourists, as before. For history will be only Black Palace and the church, all the other buildings will be demolished. On the way back you can see the ruins of the summer residence of the king, which was called the Black Palace. The former palace of King Norodom Sihanouk, who was presented to him even during the French colonization.
Decorated with black bamboo and black marble, it makes a lasting impression. Even now, even the remains of past greatness that can impress the tourists. But in general, this is the same ruins as Bokor Hill.
Another of the attractions of Bokor National Park include waterfalls Popokvil. The full force of this two-tiered waterfall is only in the rainy season. In times of drought the water is quite small. Height of 14 storeys and 18 meters. On the lower level are wooden steps. The name of this system falls means “surrounded by a cloud.” Clouds of spray during full operation waterfall create a similar impression. At the end of your visit you can visit Bokor, already mentioned in the beginning, the current Buddhist temple. It is located 11 km from the waterfall is called Wat Sampo My Roy.
The road there will take you about 6 hours, be sure to take along a conductor. So, you have fun walk through pristine jungle and avoid trouble. In the church itself is not unusual. This is the same pagoda, like the rest of Cambodia. Outstanding view is breathtaking views from the place where the temple is located. Towering above the jungle, you can see the island in all its glory and the coast. In general, a walk in the park leaves a good impression. It can be recommended to those people who are interested in the history of Cambodia, as well as its primal nature.
