Today we were driven by the wonderful driver Sony up Bokor Mountain to see what we could see. And what do you think we saw? And what do you think we saw? The other side of the mountain…after many other beautiful sites.
First stop was the huge Buddha. Today she was hiding in the mist but we still got a glimpse of her.
Then it was on to the waterfall and a free glass of sugar cane juice with every entry. Every player wins a prize!
A little further and we saw the ruins of an old church built by the French. It was covered in a bright orange moss which was superb. Amazing views from the top over the rice fields, rivers and coastline.
Then it was on to the old casino, also built by the French. It is a ruin now but is slowly being restored and is going to be fabulous when finished. The new casino was built by the Chinese and has to be seen to be believed…on top of a hill in Cambodia. Who would go there? The Chinese of course. And some locals. And some tourists.
Back down the mountain and we moved into our new digs…a small mistake by me with dates meant we ran out of time at Mea Culpa but luckily found the Marany Guesthouse with two spare rooms.
We moved in an then went out looking to buy the local Kampot pepper in all its forms.
Wanted to be back by the riverside by 5:00pm so we could watch the fishing fleet head to sea. A beautiful sight on a very calm river nearing sunset. Green and orange boats chugging out to drop their nets.
A final meal in Kampot…it had to be Khmer, so it was, for almost all of us but I guess they used to eat chips! Sour soup and tofu for Sally, Lac Loc for Ian, banana curry for me and chips for Mia!. Delish!
Oh, what a lovely surprise to get a mention! Thanks, Jane. I love that old church on the hill.
Have loved following your posts on Kampot, good to see it through new eyes. Lovely to have met your group, and many thanks for your generous donation for our Chumkriel school.
The statue on Bokor has an interesting legend behind it, it is not a Buddha, but a lady Yeay Mao, see below. Wehave also been. Told she is the protector of fishermen as she looks out to sea.
Lok Yeay Mao is considered a protector spirit of travelers, which influence is the southern sea cost provinces of Cambodia. From Kep City where she has a monument at the Kep Beach looking to the west, waiting for her husband to return from his long absence, to the confluence of the provinces of Sihanouk, Koh Kong and Kompung Speu at the Peich Nel Mountain (see National Road 4, Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville.) Curiously, few people know that the monument in Kep is Lok Yeay Mao, calling her with occurrences like ស្រីស្អាត (pretty girl) or the Siren (this last one a foreign Western occurrence, due to the resemblance of the monument to the Greek sirens.)
Now the legend of the lady, who adventured to look for her husband in far battles in ancient Thailand, walking through the jungles of the Damrei Mountains, will have a new station here at Bokor Mountain and it is already a very huge one. It will give, by sure, more importance to the legend, with this statue of 29 meters high, sitting in meditation, like a Buddha, looking to the distance of the Gulf of Siam for her longed husband.
Lyn Quilty
Thanks Lyn. Yes it was lovely to meet you and john and we are so glad that the paper and pencils could go to a worthy cause.
Our taxi driver told us she was a Buddha so thank you for enlightening me. Makes it even more so meaningful now.
Who knows we may get back to Kampot some day, or run in to you both again somewhere some day.
Cheers for now.