… fumbling about and around the Kingdom. Never felt so happy and so lost at the same time.
Sunsets like this make it really hard to leave the beach. Just look at those colours at Occheuteal Beach – with the golden rays from the setting sun that are starting to spread across the sky. I took this photo with a couple of photo-bombers who seem to be enjoying the view as much as I am. Sunsets in Sihanoukville never disappoint!
More fantastic photos of the sky at Skywatch Friday.
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.
N.B. This is a late post – the photo was taken on the 2nd of April.
***
What a day! Work was a whirlwind and the weather was a scorcher. By the time I got home, I was ready to collapse. So, I kicked off my shoes, dropped my bag, and flopped onto my bed like a rag doll.
Just as I was about to drift off into dreamland, something unexpected happened. My curtain rod decided to take a tumble. But instead of being annoyed, I was struck by a sense of wonder. With the curtain pulled aside, I was given a front-row seat to a slice of the universe that had been hidden from me.
And oh, what a sight it was! The lace curtain fluttered like a delicate veil, revealing a world bathed in the magical hues of the setting sun. The rooftops stood tall, basking in the last rays of daylight. The distant sounds of the city – honking cars and chattering school kids – filled the air.
I found myself mesmerized by the view. It made me wonder how many such beautiful evenings I had missed in my rush to get things done. Today, it felt like the universe was nudging me awake, reminding me to appreciate the beauty in the overlooked corners of life.
Lying there on my bed, I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. I was thankful for the fallen curtain rod that led me to this view, for the quiet room that let me hear the world outside, and for the reminder that life can surprise us when we least expect it.
It reminded me of a quote by William Saroyan, “The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.” Today, I found happiness in the unexpected, in the mundane, and in the overlooked. And it was beautiful.
So, I’ve decided to leave the curtain rod as it is, a little askew, a gateway to wonder. Who knows what I’ll see tomorrow? Maybe a bird on my windowsill or a rainbow after the rain. Life, it seems, is full of surprises, and today, I found solace in the unexpected magic through my window.
Go check Skywatch Friday for more fantastic skywatchers’ photos.