Phnom Kulen Recreation

Besides the holy upper part of the mountain, with its main large pagoda and dozens of tiny ones, the lower part of the mountain is a fantastic recreation area. The river you see here continues after the walk bridge to two waterfalls. The first is small but the second one is much bigger, especially in the rainy season.

The mountain is the holiest pilgrimage site for buddhist Cambodians and the recreation area is also much loved. I went there with Savuth's and Freng's families. The kids loved it as they had never been there before. We settled into one of the huts where Savuth's and Freng's wives cooked up a storm! It is a somewhat difficult place to get to and is not very frequented by non-Cambodian tourists. The day I was there, I was the only caucasian.

In 2007, I made my first, but not my last, trip to Cambodia. This trip was to Siem Reap to see the temples of Angkor Wat and to do some so-called 'voluntourism'. I was touched more than I ever could have imagined by the beautiful and indomitable spirit of the Cambodian people.

I became close to my tuk tuk driver and his family. Now I am trying to spread the word about how wonderful a visit to Angkor Wat can be and how transformational an experience it can be to get to know the Cambodian people.

I made a return trip this past September. This time I spent 4 days in Phnom Penh and then 10 days in Siem Reap again.

If you go, I know a great driver for you! See the informational website I have put together for my friend the tuk tuk driver (http:www.angkortuktuk.net).

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• mount
• kulen
• phnom
• cambodia
• siem
• reap
• angkor
• wat