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Ruth Rosenthal | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Sihanoukville, Cambodia for a Day - Feb. 2024 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Sihanoukville, Cambodia for a Day - Feb. 2024

We visited Sihanoukville, a city that used to be known throughout Asia and beyond for beautiful beaches. It has fallen slightly out of favor now because investors tried but failed to turn it into a Cambodian Las Vegas. A Chinese financial crisis and Covid caused the investors to abandon their efforts, and many of the buildings were just left as is. You can see them around the city. But Sihanoukville held great interest for me, as they have several beautiful wats (Buddhist temple complexes) with colorful artwork and interesting buildings and statues. I took an Oceania excursion in the morning to see highlights of the city (including one temple I saw mentioned on a map but could not find information on). After returning to the ship & having lunch, I went to the port exit and found a taxi driver who would take me to the wat we didn't visit (Wat Krom). It was a fabulous day.

Note: I took SO many photos. To see all, make sure you push the "All" pages button. If you want a larger version of a picures, double click it.
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We boarded a very nice Cambodian coach for our half day ship-offered excursion.
We boarded a very nice Cambodian coach for our half day ship-offered excursion.		 First stop was Wat Leu, a temple complex in town.
First stop was Wat Leu, a temple complex in town.		 Dog chilling with women at Wat Leu
Dog chilling with women at Wat Leu		 There were so many interesting things
There were so many interesting things		 Beautiful statues were everywhere.
Beautiful statues were everywhere.		 Woman playing flute next to cow
Woman playing flute next to cow
Wat Leu statues
Wat Leu statues		 I believe these are naga snakes on the balustrades
I believe these are naga snakes on the balustrades		 Excitement comes from someone on a motor scooter. I couldn't see who or what.
Excitement comes from someone on a motor scooter. I couldn't see who or what. 		To enter a Buddhist temple you take off your shoes & make sure shoulders & knees are covered
To enter a Buddhist temple you take off your shoes & make sure shoulders & knees are covered		 Poor girl. At least she got SOMETHING to eat at the wat.
Poor girl. At least she got SOMETHING to eat at the wat.		 We also visited Wat Otres. It draws few visitors due to newness, ongoing construction & location not close to city center.
We also visited Wat Otres. It draws few visitors due to newness, ongoing construction & location not close to city center.
While unfinished, I loved this group of statues portraying students & teacher.
While unfinished, I loved this group of statues portraying students & teacher.		 A huge Buddha is being built.
A huge Buddha is being built.		 We took off our shoes & entered the temple, which had gorgeous paintings.
We took off our shoes & entered the temple, which had gorgeous paintings.		 We were treated to a water blessing by a monk.
We were treated to a water blessing by a monk.		 Our guide on the Sihanoukville Highlights tour
Our guide on the Sihanoukville Highlights tour		 The unfinished statues intrigued me.
The unfinished statues intrigued me.
Wat Otres was not large but eventually it will contain many interesting and colorful objects
Wat Otres was not large but eventually it will contain many interesting and colorful objects		 Back on the coach we passed a long string of beaches - what Spooky Snooky used to be famous for.
Back on the coach we passed a long string of beaches - what Spooky Snooky used to be famous for. 		We passed nice houses in the beach area.
We passed nice houses in the beach area.		 We saw a group of elephants backed by abandoned buildings from Chinese failures
We saw a group of elephants backed by abandoned buildings from Chinese failures		 Some people call the city Spooky Snooky because of the abandoned buildings
Some people call the city "Spooky Snooky" because of the abandoned buildings		 We passed 2 giant lions, a symbol of the city.
We passed 2 giant lions, a symbol of the city.
We spent a little time in the huge Phsar Leu market. You could get anything there. I almost got lost.
We spent a little time in the huge Phsar Leu market. You could get anything there. I almost got lost. 		You could even get your hair done there.
You could even get your hair done there. 		In an intersection of Phsar Leu Market a blind musician played this instrument
In an intersection of Phsar Leu Market a blind musician played this instrument		 Monks near the market
Monks near the market		 After the tour & lunch, I used a taxi to visit Wat Krom. It has wonderful art and a large reclining Buddha
After the tour & lunch, I used a taxi to visit Wat Krom. It has wonderful art and a large reclining Buddha		 From the area of the reclining Buddha to more buildings was a long stretch of stairs with 3 rows of statues
From the area of the reclining Buddha to more buildings was a long stretch of stairs with 3 rows of statues
A mom with baby at the top of the steps was hoping for donations
A mom with baby at the top of the steps was hoping for donations 		Statue of Wat Krom monks asking for alms
Statue of Wat Krom monks asking for alms		 Robes drying
Robes drying		 Monks walk down the flight of stairs between rows of statues
Monks walk down the flight of stairs between rows of statues		 Women close up
Women close up		 Men with bowls from back with stupas
Men with bowls from back with stupas
Twin stairways at a Wat Krom building
Twin stairways at a Wat Krom building		 One of twin stairways Wat Krom with symbolic snakes & kannara/kinnari birds
One of twin stairways Wat Krom with symbolic snakes & kannara/kinnari birds		 Monks walking in Wat Krom complex
Monks walking in Wat Krom complex		 Men & women statues from other side (with stupa buildings)
Men & women statues from other side (with stupa buildings)		 Bowls at Wat Krom
Bowls at Wat Krom		 We spent some time at a beach. I discovered that coconut without sugar was very, very sour.
We spent some time at a beach. I discovered that coconut without sugar was very, very sour.
Activity at beachfront included women offering massages & a man quietly looking for donations.
Activity at beachfront included women offering massages & a man quietly looking for donations.		 I abandoned the coconut & walked along the boardwalk. There were places to pose.
I abandoned the coconut & walked along the boardwalk. There were places to pose.		 Sure, why not?
Sure, why not?		 A venue along the boardwalk was decorated for the New Year.
A venue along the boardwalk was decorated for the New Year.		 White elephants (sacred here) in a large venue along boardwalkg
White elephants (sacred here) in a large venue along boardwalkg		 Beaches used to be extremely popular here
Beaches used to be extremely popular here
Of course there were restaurants along the beach. But there were no lobsters to be had at 11 in the morning.
Of course there were restaurants along the beach. But there were no lobsters to be had at 11 in the morning. 		Sailaway time was 6 PM. We sailed away toward our last port, Laem Chabang, port for fascinating Bangkok.
Sailaway time was 6 PM. We sailed away toward our last port, Laem Chabang, port for fascinating Bangkok.
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