Phnom Kulen National ParkAfter more than 2 hours of flight from KL to Siem Reap, straight to floating village and sunset view at the Phnom Bakheng, we when back to the hotel. Dara advised me to take a long rest as tomorrow will be a long day for us. Next morning - after Fajr prayer, we departed around 6 am to Phnom (means mountain in Khmer) Kulen. Its situated 48km from the township and took us 2 and half hours to reach there - what a ride! And the road not that smooth as at the town but surprisingly Dara's Camry was able to go through the bumpy road. Imagine of 2 hours ride of Ulu Kukut - even worse than that.
From left : "Can you imagine this kind of road, even worse during monsoon season - not even gravel!", entrance to Phnom Kulen.
From left : road up to Kulen mountain, scene overlooking one the village at the foothills - look like a scene from "The Last Samurai" don't you think!
Kulen mountain widely regarded as the birthplace of the ancient Khmer empire and the source of the stone was coming from here to build the Angkorian temple. It's believe to be sacred for both Hindu and Buddha followers. The site known for 1000 of lingas that representing fertility have been carved on the riverbed. However I bit unlucky as my visit was during rain season when the carvings was covered by the river. X nampak ukiran tu la!
BTW this site was famous for - Preah Ang Thom (Preah means sacred) were massive reclining Buddha was built on a big rock; 1000 lingas; and the waterfall.
From left : noted villagers by side on a way up to Preah Ang Thom, Buddha devotees.
From left : reclining Buddha, Preah Ang Thom from below - the wooden temple built few decades after the statue to cover it from rain and sun.
On our way down from the Preah Ang Thom, we've been surrounded by children from nearby village asked for money. As I feel sorry, I decided to gave them some money but Dara didn't agree on that. "If you want to help the children give them education and later works as it will make them independent. Giving money will make them depends on others especially from tourist." said Dara. What a good thought from people like him. I glad people like Dara exist here as Cambodia - being one of poorest country in the world, need person like him that have vision to help their people. Children being our future needs our guidance so that they wouldn't repeat our mistake thus they can live a better future in harmony; not some short-term relieve.
After several hours at the place, we decided to move on to the next place - Beng Mealea.
Kulen mountain widely regarded as the birthplace of the ancient Khmer empire and the source of the stone was coming from here to build the Angkorian temple. It's believe to be sacred for both Hindu and Buddha followers. The site known for 1000 of lingas that representing fertility have been carved on the riverbed. However I bit unlucky as my visit was during rain season when the carvings was covered by the river. X nampak ukiran tu la!
BTW this site was famous for - Preah Ang Thom (Preah means sacred) were massive reclining Buddha was built on a big rock; 1000 lingas; and the waterfall.
On our way down from the Preah Ang Thom, we've been surrounded by children from nearby village asked for money. As I feel sorry, I decided to gave them some money but Dara didn't agree on that. "If you want to help the children give them education and later works as it will make them independent. Giving money will make them depends on others especially from tourist." said Dara. What a good thought from people like him. I glad people like Dara exist here as Cambodia - being one of poorest country in the world, need person like him that have vision to help their people. Children being our future needs our guidance so that they wouldn't repeat our mistake thus they can live a better future in harmony; not some short-term relieve.
After several hours at the place, we decided to move on to the next place - Beng Mealea.
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