Kbal Spean and Phnom Kulen
Dec 15th, 2007 | 03:33 AM
#1
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Joined: May 2004
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Kbal Spean and Phnom Kulen
I haven't seen too much posted about Phnom Kulen on here, so I'm going to post this as a possible outing for those who want to get out in nature a bit while touring in Siem Reap.
The carvings here in the water are beautiful. The swimming is great. A wonderful waterfall and the water is pretty clean (for Cambodia). I'm kind of persnickety when it comes to swimming in nature in Cambodia but feel good about this water that comes out of the mountain then down these waterfalls.....if I end up with some nasty parasites or something, I'll post again....
Having said that, it's a shame the paths all around are so full of trash. The "don't mess with Texas" people really need to get over here and do some work....I hiked around for a good part of the way and saw ONE trash bin (empty).
There are open huts, with hammocks and a nice little restaurant that will serve you some grilled food, rice, etc. A short hike from there brings you to a modern temple atop a giant boulder with a fabulous reclining buddha carved into the rock inside. Along the way there are little stands with folks selling all types of forest herbs for bathing, making tea, various tonics, etc. Interesting.
Any of you that have seen the temple of the Leper King can see the spot where this King came to the mountain to cure himself of leprosy, using these herbs in a bath cut into the stone.
It's a great day trip, mostly devoid of tourists, very relaxing and very beautiful, despite the trash.....
But please don't do what I saw some tourists doing, wading out into the river to STAND on the carvings. Sheesh. (There are some signs saying not to do it, but they are in Khmer.)
Kbal Spean is much cleaner, since it's a tourist destination, and there are bins everywhere as well as folkes hired to keep it clean. The carvings there are probably better (as in more plentiful and intricate), the downside being there's not as much water, only one small waterfall and no chance for swimming and relaxing in a hammock. It also entails a 30-40 minute hike up the mountain, which, while not grueling by any stretch, might be nauseating in the hot season. Bring water either way.
Photos here:
http://tinyurl.com/357j29
The carvings here in the water are beautiful. The swimming is great. A wonderful waterfall and the water is pretty clean (for Cambodia). I'm kind of persnickety when it comes to swimming in nature in Cambodia but feel good about this water that comes out of the mountain then down these waterfalls.....if I end up with some nasty parasites or something, I'll post again....
Having said that, it's a shame the paths all around are so full of trash. The "don't mess with Texas" people really need to get over here and do some work....I hiked around for a good part of the way and saw ONE trash bin (empty).
There are open huts, with hammocks and a nice little restaurant that will serve you some grilled food, rice, etc. A short hike from there brings you to a modern temple atop a giant boulder with a fabulous reclining buddha carved into the rock inside. Along the way there are little stands with folks selling all types of forest herbs for bathing, making tea, various tonics, etc. Interesting.
Any of you that have seen the temple of the Leper King can see the spot where this King came to the mountain to cure himself of leprosy, using these herbs in a bath cut into the stone.
It's a great day trip, mostly devoid of tourists, very relaxing and very beautiful, despite the trash.....
But please don't do what I saw some tourists doing, wading out into the river to STAND on the carvings. Sheesh. (There are some signs saying not to do it, but they are in Khmer.)
Kbal Spean is much cleaner, since it's a tourist destination, and there are bins everywhere as well as folkes hired to keep it clean. The carvings there are probably better (as in more plentiful and intricate), the downside being there's not as much water, only one small waterfall and no chance for swimming and relaxing in a hammock. It also entails a 30-40 minute hike up the mountain, which, while not grueling by any stretch, might be nauseating in the hot season. Bring water either way.
Photos here:
http://tinyurl.com/357j29
Dec 15th, 2007 | 04:20 AM
#2
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,138
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I guess there isn't as much info/advertising about Phnom Kulen. I heard of it after I got to Cambodia (source of building material for the temples). Didn't think I'd be interested in going to see a quarry. I had no idea that's what it looks like!
Kbal Spean was spotless, as you say there are a lot of workers keeping everything tidy. Maybe a bit more publicity would help the situation in Phnom Kulen. As for Kbal Spean not being a challenging climb...WHEW!
Kbal Spean was spotless, as you say there are a lot of workers keeping everything tidy. Maybe a bit more publicity would help the situation in Phnom Kulen. As for Kbal Spean not being a challenging climb...WHEW!
Dec 15th, 2007 | 01:39 PM
#3
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
We went to Phnom Kulen with Ponheary and many of the family and had a very good day, including swimming in the river (with no after effects), a lovely picnic, and my own panic inducing encounter with red ants that I thought were spiders...ask Ponheary about how foolish I was! If you have time and opportunity, it's a great day out family style.
