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showers
increasing
frequency gives way to monsoon rains
that blow in from the southeast and
last through November.
The rains bring
cooler are and cause the heat to
subside by September. But don't let
the rainy season put you off. It
certainly doesn't rain all the time
and, rain or not, the breeze off the
ocean is wonderful, the air is fresh
and cool, and the play of lightning
over the ocean is a rainy season sight
to behold.
History:
The history of Sihanoukville goes back
only as far as 1955 when area was
known as Kampong Som. In August of
that year, a French/Cambodian
construction team cut a base camp into
the jungle where the Hawaii Sea view
Restaurant now sits. They laid the
groundwork for the construction of the
new Port of Kampong Som. Prior to
their arrival the entire area was
unoccupied jungle, but the 1953/54
dissolution of French Indochina had
set the stage for that to change.
Prior
to 1954 Cambodia maintained
international sea trade trough the
Phnom Penh via the Mekong. But the end
of Indochina meant the Mekong Delta
reverted to the control of Vietnam.
Seeking unfettered access to the
ocean, the government decided to
construct a deep-water ocean port.
Kampong Som was selected over Ream and
Koh Kong because of water depth and
ease of access.
Construction
of the port and Route No. 4 (the road
to Phnom Penh) was completed between
1955 and 1960. The town itself began
as housing and offices for workers
just south of the port. Upon
completion of the port, the town was
renamed Sihanoukville in honor of the
King.
The
primary financing for the construction
of the port came from France, and from
the USA for the road. Commemorative
plaques are still visible on some
bridges on Route 4. Interestingly,
Rout 4's 1994-1996 reconstruction was
also funded by USAID.
Sihanoukville
heyday came in the 1960s. Although it
was never as popular as Kep for a
holiday destination, the commercial
success of the port led to a flurry of
new construction, including the
Independence Hotel. A second phase of
port construction began in 1965, but
all construction was halted after the
coup of 1970.
Sihanoukville
also entered the history of the
American/Vietnam conflict when, during
the late 1960's and early 70's, it
served as a transit point for weapons
bound for anti-American forces in
Vietnam. The most spectacular
involvement in the war came in 1975.
On
May 13 1975, the Khmer Rouge captured
the S. S. Mayaguez, a U.S. container
ship in route to Thailand. As part of
an island near Sihanoukville, and met
fierce resistance, suffering heavy
losses.
They also bombed the naval
base at ream, the warehouses at the
Port of Sihanoukville, the airfield,
the trained yard and the oil refinery
north of town. The ship and its crew
were released on May 15, during the
battle. With the exception of this
incident, Sihanoukville met relatively
little action during Cambodia's
conflicts.
In
1992 and 93, Sihanoukville played host
to Australian, French and Belgian
contingents of UNTAC. In 1994/95
international corporations such as
Ariston Sdn Bhd., YSL Corp. and
Sokimex began investing in the
development of Sihanoukville tourist
facilities, though major construction
has not yet begun.
Holidays:
With the end of the rains in November
comes the season of celebrations, a
time of weddings and holidays that
stretches through Khmer New Year in
April. Sihanoukville plays host to all
of Cambodia's holidays but some are
more festive than others. The Water
Festival, for example, passes rather
quietly here, whereas the following
holidays can be exceptional.
Chinese
New Year: The local
ethnic-Chinese and Vietnamese make
this a colorful holiday in
Sihanoukville. As the day approaches
the markets fill with special cakes,
fruits and accoutrement. 'Lion Dancers' rush from house to house exploding
fireworks and dancing for good fortune
in the coming year. At midnight, the
New Year is ushered in with all the
noise the locals can muster. The local
ethnic-Chinese and Vietnamese make
this a colorful holiday in
Sihanoukville.
Khmer
New Year may be the town's most
popular holiday. The New Year begins
at an hour designated by the lunar
calendar. Beautiful offerings of food,
drink and incense are set on palm
frawned tables in front of people's
home. People spend the next three days
taking pleasure in tossing water on
passing motorcyclists. Try to take it
in good spirit and deep your camera
covered!
Pchum
Ben: Generates an air of spiritual
reverence and holiday expectation
throughout Cambodia. People travel to
several pagodas to make offerings to
departed ancestors to help guarantee
good fortune in the following year.
This is a colorful, photogenic time at
the pagodas.
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