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By:
Prak Chan Thul. Pictures by: Sem Vannjohn.
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The
pond is surrounded by quaint cottages in
which friends and family can escape from
the hot sun with a cool drink and try for
the fishes in it. |
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Cambodia
on the weekend is a slow train chugging up a steep
hill. Slow. Rest and relaxation are marked as goals
to be achieved, and work is a vision of what was
and what will be.
Anyone who has worked diligently throughout the
week deserves a proper good time on his or her day
off. Twelve kilometers down one of the smoothest
roads in Cambodia, National Road One, the World
Amusement Center permanently waits to serve you
a generous helping of fun and entertainment. A fantastic
afternoon may be spent lazing on the soft green
grass, munching from a packed picnic or zooming
around in one of the center’s famous go-carts.
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This
entertainment center - located east of Phnom Penh in the
Prehk Aeng commune of the Kien Svay district in Kandal
province - is often packed with thrill-seekers on Saturdays
and Sundays. Just beyond the entrance lies a man-made
fishing pond surrounded by a series of cottages built
on stilts. From early in the morning until late afternoon,
go-karts and paddleboats may be rented for fun and excitement.
And the fishing pond is open around the clock. |
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The
center is privately owned and charges visitors a
small fee to use the facilities. The fishing pond
attracts more visitors than the more unusual go-carts
and paddleboats, which also are available. Some
daring picnickers try their luck fishing for their
lunch. Hundreds of fishing rods are available, priced
at $3 per hour. Chefs may be commissioned to turn
your fish into a tasty treat- grilled, fried or
boiled in a soup.
Seasoned fishermen may bring their own rod and pay
only $2 for a turn at the pond's highly stocked
reserves. Some lucky sportsmen have caught up to
50 fish in a day. The pond is small, so screams
of delight may be heard from every corner. |
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This
lucky fisherman caught up to 50 fish at
the World Amusement Center. Can you? |
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Young
lovers and old friends create cherished
memories while scooting around the pond
in a paddleboat. |
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To
file this story, I invited a few friends to rent
a couple of fishing rods and while away the day.
Within four short hours, we caught more than 40
fish of different sizes, colors and species. Carps,
a favorite Cambodian fish, comprised the bulk of
the catch.
Across a narrow boulevard beyond the fishing pond,
a small lake offers a distinct approach to entertainment.
Romance and sentiment abound on this body of water,
where paddleboats await to take young lovers for
a ride. Platonic friends also will appreciate spending
time on this placid pond. Paddleboats may be rented
for 3,000 riel for a 30-minute ride. All the anxiety
of a busy week flow out of the body and into the
air as the boat slides through the water. Young
lads often seize this rare moment of privacy to
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snuggle
with their sweethearts in the boat's narrow seat.
Even if the couples cannot be seen, the sound of
their happy giggles indicates that love is in the
air.
The
jetty is often packed with anxious people waiting
their turn to take a few boats out for a spin. Although
the demand for the boats is high, the center's Taiwanese
owner, who prefers simply to be known as "The
Boss," is hesitant to expand.
For
the thrill-seeker in you, a fast ride on a go-cart
might just blow you away. For $3, drivers can race
for ten minutes at top speeds around a long track
secured by tires. The price is steep, but the laughter
deep. Although some may find it difficult to pay
money for fun, a trip to the amusement center is
highly justifiable. |
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Weekend
revelers relax in the shade waiting for
their turn to have a go on the paddleboats. |
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Hang
on tight! Thrill-seekers must take a break
from fishing to zoom around a fast track
in high-speed go-carts. |
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One
is more productive when time is reserved for mental
health and relaxation. A far less costly excursion
than a trip to the therapist, the World Amusement
Center is highly feasible. A bus ride from Phnom
Penh to the "Tiger Beer Street" stop costs
about 1500 riel. And the 500-meter walk to the park
is free.
Pack
a picnic lunch or buy food there. The taste and
service are always of the highest quality. Fish,
chicken, beef and pork are all available, ready
to be served inside a pleasant cottage by a friendly
wait staff. And there are always attendees on hand
to hold your fishing rod for a small fee while you
enjoy a cool drink or a bite to eat. Hungry travelers
will appreciate the grilled chicken and the cooked
fish, beloved by locals for their great flavor and
price. Travelers, be warned, however - In Cambodia,
it is always smart to
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agree
on the price of a meal or any food before settling down
to feast, otherwise prices could reach new heights by
the time you are done.
Don't
let Phnom Penh's hurried pace run you down, hop over to
the World Amusement Center and grab time by the throat. |
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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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