Years ago, I wrote about a few trips to Kampot province but never made it to Phnom Bokor (Bokor Mountain) and to Wat Sampov Pram (Sampov Pram Temple, or the Five Boats Temple). I somehow missed this beauty until recently – I finally checked it off my list, and let me tell you, it was incredible!
The first thing that struck me was the temple itself. Built by King Monivong, it’s an ancient beauty showcasing Buddhist architecture built with gorgeous red-bricks (and now lichen-covered) that stand out against the lush green surroundings. The location is in the most stunning background you can imagine – right on the edge of a cliff that used to be part of a fancy French colonial resort area called Bokor Hill Station back in the 1920s.
The best part, though, was definitely the view from the top. It was a clear day when I (and my work colleagues) visited, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. The contrast between the vibrant green jungle, the shimmering blue Gulf of Thailand, and even a glimpse of Vietnam’s Pu Quoc Island from the distance was unreal! Click the photo to enlarge. The beauty of this place deserves to be captured with a higher quality camera. On the way up, we even spotted some wild monkeys chilling in the trees – not sure they were too happy about us tourists, though!
Bokor Hill Station itself has a fascinating history. It used to be a glamorous escape for the elite Khmers and French back in the 1920s, complete with a fancy hotel, casino (I’ll save this story for another post!), and even a Catholic church. Unfortunately, things took a turn during the civil war, and the whole place got abandoned in disrepair.
These days, it is in a bit of a mixed-bag. In 2015(ish), constructions started to transform it into a modern resort. What I saw that day of my visit was – let’s say – a work in progress. There were tons of unfinished buildings and villas that give it a more of a ghost-town vibe than a luxurious retreat. But even with the development chaos, Wat Sampov Pram stands strong as a beautiful piece of history and a must-see when visiting Kampot. Plus, the cooler mountain air is a welcome change from the Cambodian heat below.
Visit other Skywatchers this week and see other incredible sky photos.
