Phnom Thipadei in the map
Phnom
Thipadei is an interesting mountain in Koah Kroloar District being far away and
unknown to most of people today living in Battambang as well as the whole
country. Standing alone in the rural village not far from the railway across
this district running from Phnom Penh to Battambang, Phnom Thipadei is really
amazing at all tourists visited. In the hot weather, the experience to visit
this mountain is forever memorable. Travelling from the main provincial town
near Steung Sangker (Sangker River), the green rice flooding field seems to
welcome smilingly to this tourist as sitting on a small vehicle through the
railway road towards Koah Kroloar District. How wonderful and happy it is!
Fresh air in the morning with bright golden sun from the East created the best
travelling to the place unknown since at birth. First trip is the first
experience to remember for long time towards the unexpected future. Few hours
seems so quick as few minutes being busy with the natural scene. Palm tree is
the most fascinating identity of green rice field in Battambang as well as
other places throughout Cambodia. Arriving at rural village, all Khmer
villagers are friendly and helpful for all tourists. After enjoying lunch with
special local food, time to go for famous mountain of this area is started.
Walking across the local road, villagers are riding bicycles as well as driving
motors through the small road happily. Khmer style house is still there to see.
Khmer ox cart is also being used as the tradition continuing from previous
generation. Through the flexible road in the hot sun, Phnom Thipadei, the goal
of the trip, is being seen nearer and nearer with Khmer Pagoda on the waist of
mountain. Forest is still covering the whole mountain as clearly seen, but some
of mountain stone is being broken for construction also. Climbing on the stone
ladder until the top of the mountain waist with pagoda, the natural scene is
rarely seen around the mountain. The large green rice field along with railway
road looks great to see from mountain in one direction. On the other side of the
mountain, Chuor Phnom Kravanh (Cardamom Mountain Range) is so beautiful to see
with white cloud and green forest. Cold blowing air makes this trip more
special with quiet environment. Speaking with local villager, lake near this
mountain is known with the historical name. Reminding about Pol Pot Regime,
many people were killed in that lake and some villagers ran to live under the
care of forest on Phnom Thipadei hiding from killing. Looking around with the
past and present, future is necessarily questioned how long the peace going on
for all people living in this country. Natural scene, friendly people,
historical man-made temple & other infrastructures, culture, and soul of
national language are surely asking for peace and good social order towards the
better future. “A mountain, standing in the far away place, is the good
consideration for future tourism development!” “Simple place is surely special
with right decoration for future tourism growth!”
By:
POK Panhavuth
Small Vehicle to travel on railway road in Battambang (Bamboo Small Train)
Green Rice Flooding Field with Palm Tree in Battambang
