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Home to some 18,000 people, Sihanoukville sits on a headland
ringed by pristine beaches and overlooks the Gulf of Thailand. It also boasts
the only deep-sea port in Cambodia's 354km coastline.
The white sand beaches are known amongst both
foreigners and locals like, but what must also count as a prime attraction is
the unhurried, almost laidback pace of life.
Sihanoukville is hilly, windswept and almost barren in some places.
Development appears almost haphazard, and it is a common sight for a spanking
new six-story hotel to sit between a decrepit wooden shack on one side and an
abandoned residence on the other. But such is the charm of the provincial town -
its unpretentiousness, and its refusal to be labeled as another built-up
"seaside resort".
Beautiful Pristine Beaches
Sokha Beach is the most popular beach-with enough sand even at high tide, and
plenty of shade from the swaying palm trees. Whilst local Cambodian families
prefer to bring along their own snacks and drinks, others are content to
purchase tidbits or food from the vendors or Sokha Restaurant.
Cabanas and deck chairs dot the beach as far as the eye can see. Picnickers
may sit around a low table, and order food and drinks from the stall holders, or
from roving vendors hawking their ware-the latter usually young children who tug
more at the heartstrings than at the purse strings! The wind is surprisingly
cool, and coupled with an ice-cold beer and salt sea breeze, Sokha Beach is the
perfect spot for some relaxing moments.
Independence Beach got its name from the seven-story Independence Hotel. In
its heyday, the hotel was the spot to wine, dine, gamble and be seen at. Now the
casino has been stripped bare, but looking at the dirty white structure, one can
still imagine the grandeur of the grand dame and see the lights in the
restaurants, hear the pulsating music from the dance halls and the babble from
excited revelers.
Victory Beach and Ochateal Beach are two other beaches frequented by visitors
to Sihanoukville. But because they are long and narrow, low tide is the best
time to go, or there will be no beach to speak of.
Spectacular Sunsets Worth Waiting For
No visit to Sihanoukville is complete without watching the spectacular
sunset, and Sihanoukville has various good sunset points, the most convenient being the beaches. Kos Pos Restaurant, which offers indoor and alfresco dining,
also provides an excellent view of the setting sun amidst a broad expanse of sky
and sea. The sun sets rapidly from 5.30pm, so be sure to be strategically
positioned. Look out also for the fishing vessels which will begin their
activities at sea around this time.
Landmarks to Include in the Itinerary
Golden Lions Monument
The Golden Lions Monument, also known as Vimean Tao Meas, is a prominent
landmark located in the middle of the traffic circle between Sokha and Ochateal
Beaches. Constructed in 1996, the monument stands resplendent in the daylight. A
gleaming gold color, the lion is standing, its mouth open in a perpetual roar;
the lioness is crouched at his feet, face benevolent and calm.
It is common to see children climbing up the statues on their way to and from
school, and adults taking photographs, bringing home with them a little bit of
Sihanoukville.
Independence Square
The Independence Square consists of an open meeting hall and the Independence
Monument .It was constructed in 1985 and honors the independence and war dead
of Cambodia. The five-headed naga (sea serpent), its sinewy body winding
intricately along the full length, flanks both sides of the path leading up to
the Monument.
Wats
Wat Leu, or Wat Ta Tak-nien, sits atop the 132m Sihanoukville Mountain and
overlooks the town. Like other Wats in Cambodia, there are monks who live, learn
and meditate there. Daily, they will make the trip down to town to collect alms,
either on foot or for the lucky few, on motorcycles.
Colorful panels depicting the life of Buddha cover the interior walls and
ceiling of the Wats. At the rear are portraits of the founder Prince Junot, and
leader of the Buddhist community in this area Ok Om.
Wat Khrom sits on a small hill on Santipheap Street overlooking the
ocean.
Fishing Port
The fishing port, located about 2km from the main port, is a flurry of color
and activity. Vehicles move very slowly as indiscriminate parking has narrowed
the roads by a fair bit The back lanes, which lead directly to the waters, are
especially busy as buying and selling, loading and unloading activities take
place.
Sihanoukville is at that stage of development where the pace is ideal- the
fishing village has retained much of its individual charm, yet has enough modern
facilities and amenities to make a visitor's stay comfortable. there is
unpolluted air, lovely beaches and enough personal space to breathe. Coupled
with a relaxed way of life, it is the perfect destination for a short weekend
(or midweek) getaway!
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