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| By
: Ann Creevey, Picture by : Nathan Dexter. |
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Kampong Speu, west of
Phnom Penh and almost on the capital's doorstep,
is a province often overlooked, but an ideal place
to get off the beaten track. Speu is the Khmer word
for starfruit, but Kampong Speu is actually famous
for its palm sugar, considered the best in the Kingdom.
It also produces plenty of teuk t’not chu,
or palm wine.
Cambodia’s tallest mountain located in this
landlocked province bordered by Kandal, Koh Kong,
Pursat, Kampot, Takeo and Kampong Chhnang. That
is Mount Aoral (Phnom Aoral) at 1813 meters above
sea level.
There are eight districts in Kampong Speu, divided
into 89 communes and 1,319 villages, and 5.2 per
cent of Cambodia's population lives here. Kampong
Speu town is less than an hour from Phnom Penh down
National Route 4__the road which eventually takes
you south to Sihanoukville. |
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The neakta shrine in front of
Teuk Phoh, the hot springs near Srok Aoral.
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Although not a volcanic
country, Cambodia boasts hot springs, high in the
foothills of Mount Aoral. These are called Teuk
Phoh, which means water emerging. The water is hot
enough to boil an egg, and not deep enough to swim
in, even if it was possible, but it is a peaceful
spot.
This place is becoming increasingly popular with
Phnom Penh people as a place to relax on weekends,
and vendors at the site can supply you with cold
drinks and fruit, although most Khmers bring their
own picnic lunches with them. |
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Amper
Phnom
(Small Mountain)
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| If just relaxing
and spending a quiet day picnicking and strolling
by the river sounds attractive, this quiet little
resort of might just be the ticket. About five kilometers
before Kampong Speu town, turn left down a small
road road signposted in Khmer and English. |
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One of the many waterfalls in
Kirirom National Park.
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Kirirom means "happy
mountain" and this beautiful national park
area 85 kilometers from the capital off National
Route 4 was once a favorite resort for the influential,
the powerful and wealthy and a retreat for King
Sihanouk himself in the 1960’s.A large new
concrete sign on the right as you drive from Phnom
Penh to Sihanoukville makes finding the turnoff
very easy. The road rises steeply but is paved and
in quite good condition.
There are not many types of larger wildlife in evidence
on Kirirom, but it is an ideal spot to glimpse some
of the Kingdom's unique birdlife and birdwatchers
even come from overseas to visit. Park rangers charge
foreigners a 20,000 riel ($5) entrance fee. |
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Cambodia
Golf and Country Club
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| Just over
the border of Kandal province from Phnom Penh, a
huge billboard and manicured entrance on the left
proclaims one of Cambodia's premier golf courses. |
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Yeay
Mao Shrines
(Pich Nil)
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The road to Sihanoukville
cuts through a mountain pass at about the half-way
point, just after where the air-conditioned buses
break their journey. At the point where it rises,
called Pich Nil, a row of colorful shrines and spirit
houses appear. These are dedicated to the powerful
neakta, or deity, Yeay Mao (Grandmother Mao). |
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Suite
B8, Regency Square, InterContinental Hotel, 294 Mao Tse Toung
Boulevard,
Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.
Tel: (855) 23 213 133 Fax: (855) 23 213 033
E-mail:
editor@leisurecambodia.com |
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