After our day trip to Mesang on November 25th, we were back in Phnom Penh by supper time…
Since arriving in Cambodia eight days earlier, we had spent time in Phnom Penh and traveled to Siem Reap and Mesang. We planned to spend the final part of our vacation relaxing in Kampong Som (also frequently called ‘Sihanoukville’). We spent our time after supper on Friday packing suitcases and preparing for an early start on Saturday. Alas, after the brutal bouncing on the trip to Mesang, the van needed a few repairs. We still left early; just not as early as planned…
Waiting.
No van this way…
No van this way, either.
Extraordinary Nephew is perfectly content. He doesn’t get impatient waiting for vans to arrive.
Soon enough, we were on our way. Well – we were on our way after a quick stop to purchase fried bananas…
The only way to justify eating this is to say that it’s a new and unique Cambodian food and that we should try it in order to broaden our horizons.
Our route to Kampong Som via National Road #4
Kampong Som is a port city on the Gulf of Thailand about 185 km from Phnom Penh…
[Sihanoukville] is named after King Father Norodom Sihanouk and grew up around the construction of Sihanoukville Port. Construction on the port began in June 1955 and it was the only deep water port in Cambodia. The port was built in part due to the waning power of the French leading to the Vietnamese tightening their control over the Mekong Delta and hence restricting river access to Cambodia. Sihanoukville’s beaches have made it a popular tourist destination.
(Sihanoukville on Wikipedia)
About halfway to Kampong Som (as I’ll call it from here on), we approached Pech Nil Pass and stopped for lunch. I didn’t get a picture of the rest area or the meal itself, but I photographed dessert!
If my memory serves correctly, this is a steamed rice flour cake that reminded me of a tamale. The filling was sweet and made from coconuts (and maybe bean curd?).
Pech Nil Pass was just about a half kilometer beyond the restaurant. From there, the road begins its descent toward the coast. However, before most Cambodians continue beyond the pass, they stop to venerate the ancestral spirit of Yeay Mao. There are numerous stories and legends surrounding her, and the actual details of her life have been lost. However, she is supposed to be quite powerful, wielding influence over a large portion of Cambodia in the area from Pech Nil toward the Gulf of Thailand. As a result, travelers stop to burn incense and leave offerings.
Shrines to Yeay Mao (and road construction) at Pech Nil Pass
After getting over the pass, there is a pleasant descent down the mountain and through the countryside…
Before long we were driving through Kampong Som and arriving at our hotel on the far side…
The front entrance
And check out our room with its paintings!
Oldest Daughter ponders one of the paintings. Funky, huh?
Once we had settled in, there was still time in the day to visit the beach. But that will come in the next blog post.
Coming up: Hanging out around the Orchideé Guest House
ordinary... mostly 
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