Wat Hanchey is a hill top Pagoda which offers some of the best Mekong views in Cambodia. It has been made in to a bit of a Cambodian tourist stop now but there is a old Wat structure still standing amidst all the new structures and it dates from the 8th century.
It is a lovely ride from Kampong Cham along the reclaimed strip of land that links Wat Hanchey and Kampong Cham in the wet season - this time I was taken by Vandong in the car but I think it will become a favourite bike ride of mine during the weekends.
The views are incredible - I new the Mekong was big but not as big as this - the photos don't do it justice I'm afraid as I didn't have me camera on me - hence why I must visit again and also it was just coming in for a huge thunderstorm. Apparently sunrise from the top is a sight to be seen.
Also I am really looking forward to seeing the contrast of the size of the river at different times throughout the year.
As this has become a bit of a Cambodian tourist spot it has some bizarre statues - it seems to of become a bit of a weird theme park - beautiful old building surrounded by ghastly brightly painted statues of fruit!!
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| Old part of Wat Hanchey |
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| View of the Mekong |
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In the above picture you can see 2 islands in the Mekong - the first is the line of land which has nearly all been flooded and then the second is the land in the distance - yep this is an island in the middle of the Mekong not the other side!
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| Lotus Flower pond |
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| Old 8th Century with a great big yellow banana - why? |
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| Back of the old structure beside the newer one |
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| My Director - Venerable Vandong Thorn |
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| Line of concrete fruit |
And then there is a line of concrete fruit - bit like your concrete cows in Milton Keynes Rach!
What an amazing place! I wonder what all those fruit signify?
ReplyDeleteMaybe the fruit is some kind of offering hoping to attract prosperity and many fruit salads?
ReplyDeleteElisa
i love asia! loving the banana!
ReplyDeleteHi Jane
ReplyDeleteJust logged on as have been on Sunshine Coast
on hols (where, once again, it did not live up
to its name, we're thinking of suing the Qland
Govt).
Loving the 'fruit' - in Qld we have The Big
Banana, The Big Pineapple and The Big Prawn -
all very dear to the heart of Australians - I take
your point however that not quite appropriate
against such venerated buildings.
This is just to touch base quickly - now going
back to read earlier blogs as just logged on
at current one.
You are having an amazing time.
Love Shirley