Colonial Cambodia

Ok, so I've been getting quite slack in the blog writing department, but I was just afraid that I would be condemned by Claire if I didn't write anything exceptionally interesting :)


So, to recap on the last 2 weeks...My aunt Sally came to visit from Hong Kong for a few days and we went on a day tour to Bokor Mountain. Usually this tour is a 2 1/2 hour hike and then a truck ride up the mountain, but thankfully it was Chinese New Year and there was transportation all the way! At the top of the mountain is a ruined 1900's French Colonial Settlement including houses, a hotel, a catholic church and a casino (all the essentials). The settlement was created for the wealthy French to escape the heat and indulge in a little luxury. 

The Palace (Hotel)

Catholic Church steps

Mist over the Pagoda on Bokor Mountain

It is interesting how dilapidated the buildings have become from the Khmer rouge hiding out in the church in 1970, (one of the last places to be relinquished) to bullet holes in the casino walls and now the workers who squat there create their own bit of history. The buildings eerily speak of a generation we do not know and stand tall, silent and all knowing. 

Back of The Palace

The day was ended with a sunset cruise on the Kampot River which gave me a much better geographical understanding of the town and the discovery of some very cool river side bungalows for future reference!