The Cambodia Coastal Visitors Guide 52nd

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Prek Treng Beach eqñrERBkERtg Another distant beach, Prek Treng is a long, wide cres- cent of brilliant white sand a few kilome- ters north of town, offering compara- tively warm shallow waters. The beach is in good shape, groomed and land-

Sihanoukville Mountain This 132m peak offers a spectacular view of the city, the islands and the beaches from Otres to the port. Take Route 4 about 2.5km north of town. Make a right turn at the brewery and follow the road up the hill, about 200m past the Wat Leu pagoda. Park at the end of the road and walk out onto the rocks. Excellent sunset spot. St. Michael’s Church , named after the patron saint of sailors, was constructed in 1962. Designed by French missionary Father Ahadobery and renowned Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann. Note the 'ship's sail' brickwork at the front and the boats on the sides. The church served local Catholics until 1975 when the Khmer Rouge came to power. From 1975-79 the church was used as a prison, and after 1979 as stor- age until it reopened in 1993. It is currently active and serving several dozen mostly Vietnamese families. St Michael's is one of the two churches in Cambodia that survived the Khmer Rouge. The other 71 churches including the Cathedral in Phnom Penh were destroyed. The Independence Hotel The Independence Hotel located on the point between Victory and Independence beaches, was Sihanouk Ville’s pre- miere accommodation in the 1960’s. It was built in 1963 or 1964 during the heyday of Sihanouk Ville’s early development, and was finally abandoned when the Khmer Rouge seized power in 1975. The hotel opened briefly again during UNTAC’s stay in the early 1990’s. In 2004 renovation work began on the hotel. Completed two year later the Independence Hotel has been fully and carefully restored to its for- mer opulence and reopened as modern upscale resort hotel. Victory Monument The Victory Monument on the road just off Victory Beach at the base of Weather Station Hill (aka Victory Hill) presumably lends its name to the beach. The monument was built in 1985 to symbolize Cambodia’s friendship with Vietnam and the 1979 Vietnamese-assisted victory over the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. One of these monu- ments can be found in almost every major town in Cambodia. Wat Chotynieng Wat Chotynieng (aka Wat Leu, ‘upper wat’) overlooks town from the top of Sihanouk Ville Mountain. Paintings in the vihear depict the life of Buddha. At the rear are portraits of the founder, Prince Junot, and Lok Om (left), the leader of the Buddhist community in this area until his death in 1999. In front of the chapel is a statue of Lok Om, erected in 1996. Wat Utynieng Wat Utynieng (aka Wat Krom mean- ing ‘lower wat’) sits on a small hill on Santipheap St.. Picturesque grounds with statues depicting Buddhist lore and a large reclining Buddha behind the vihear overlooking the town and ocean Also quite unique, this wat contains a building containing a large shrine dedicated solely to Ya-Mao, a local deity.

scaped, but is usually all but deserted. Sometimes a couple of food shacks stand open at the near end. To get there follow Hun Sen Beach Drive north a few kilometers past the port area. Best to bring along some of your own drinks and snacks. landmarks & points of interest Cambrew Brewery Cambrew Brewery brews Angkor and Bayon beers and Pepsi products. It was construct- ed in 1966 and operated by the government from 1967- 75 brewing beers by the same name. The brewery was refurbished and production was reinstituted in 1991. Located on Route #4 at the road junction on Sihanouk Ville Mountain. Fishing Port The Fishing Port ( Tom Nup Roluk Port ) sits about 2 km north of the main port on Hun Sen Beach Dr. Its wooden quay and surrounding village are a whirl of color and activity. A photogenic place. Fishing boats stream out of this port every night just before sunset - an amazing sight, especially from Victory beach. Vimean Tao Meas, ‘Golden Lions Monument’ The Golden Lion Monument is a prominent landmark located in the middle of the traffic circle between Sokha and Ochheuteal beaches. The monument was constructed in 1996. The traffic circle is surrounded by Cambodian restaurants and karaoke places and the gardens around the monument have become a popular evening hangout for the locals, particularly local teens. Independence Square The Independence Square consists of an open meeting hall, the Independence Monument ( Vimean Ekareach ), a small shrine and park area. It was constructed in 1985 and honors the inde- pendence and war dead of Cambodia. Ceremonies are held at the hall on January 7th. Port of Sihanoukville Constructed 1955-60. The port waters are 11-13m deep except for an 8-9m point in the channel near Koh Pos. The original quay can be seen from Victory Beach jutting 290m into the ocean. The northern section consists of a 350m quay and 3117m of breakwater. Ships approach from the west or southwest between Koh Pos and the mainland.

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