SIHANOUKVILLE CAMBODIA et on the west coast of the Scountry half way between Thailand and Vietnam, Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s best beach getaway destination. There is a relaxed and laid back attitude here that brings on a feeling of peace and quiet. Compared with the rest of ancient and historic Cambodia, Sihanoukville is a brand new town. Named after Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihanouk, it was originally built as a deep-water port in the 1950’s. The city that grew up around the port was founded in 1964. It quickly HISTORY became a bit of a boom-town for Cambodia’s rich Despite the fact that archaeologists have discovered evidence of and famous. human habitation in some of the caves in Cambodia dating back as far In 1970 King Sihanouk was overthrown in a coup as 4,000 years, very little is known about the people of the region until and civil war soon tore Cambodia apart. The name the beginning of the first century. By this time the people had developed of the town was renamed Kampong Som. During sophisticated tools and farming techniques. Great kingdoms such as this very difficult time for Cambodia the beaches the Funan were already established. They would rise and fall. stayed empty. Peace finally came in 1997. At first The name Cambodia (Kampuchea) comes from the name of the ancient only a few brave and adventerous backpackers kingdom of Kambuja which, beginning in the ninth century, ruled much ventured out to Sihanoukville. But with over 30 of the countryside for almost 500 years. million dollars of U.S. aid to improve the road from In the late 1500’s Cambodia was caught between two powerful neighbors, Phnom Penh, the city started to attract more and Vietmam and Siam (Thailand). Both countries were determined to more visitors. Cambodians and foreigners alike conquer and absorb as much of Cambodia as possible. have come to town to open bars, restaurants and hotels. Sihanoukville has been building and more In 1863 the King of Cambodia signed his country away to the French, travelers have been coming. under the guise of their offer of protection. The French soon turned Cambodia into a colony from which they would profit from the natural Don’t let the modest size of the city fool you. resources of the country. Cambodia, together with the other colonies There are a number of very nice and reasonably of Laos and Vietnam were formed into what was called French priced restaurants that are famous for the quality Indochina. and freshness of their seafood dishes. Today the image and attraction of Sihanoukville is one of In the early days of World War II, the Empire of Japan conquered fun-in-the-sun for both Cambodians escaping the Indochina. The Vichy government of France was able to continue heat of Phnom Penh and foreign the administration of Cambodia and other colonies due to France’s tourists alike. Not yet overblown collaboration with Japan’s axis partner, Nazi Germany. King Norodom with massive resorts or overrun Sihanouk was placed on the throne by the French in 1941. It was not by hordes of visitors, the city and until 1953 that the King was able to wrest independence for Cambodia surrounding beaches still offer a from the fading colonial power. slower pace of life. As France withdrew from Indochina the United States slowly became involved in the former colony of Vietnam. Cambodia tried desperately to remain neutral. But large areas in the east of the country, along its border with Vietnam, were being used as bases from which 1970 invasion of Cambodia in a U.S. effort to destroy North the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong were launching Vietnamese troops based there. After years of guerrilla war attacks against U.S. forces inside South Vietnam. Cambodia’s led by the Paris-educated, hard line communist Pol Pot, only deep-sea port, Sihanoukville, became an important link in the Khmer Rouge fought its way to power in 1975. For the the Communist’s chain of supply. next four years Cambodia (renamed Kampuchea) would be In 1969 the United States unleashed a massive bombing brutally occupied by this communist regime. Mercifully the rule campaign upon North Vietnamese military forces which had of the Khmer Rouge came to an end and the good people of turned eastern Cambodia into their safe haven. The secret Cambodia are today continuing to rebuild their proud culture bombing would last over a year and lead ultimately to the and beautiful country. © 2010 maps.com 1 13 12 11 10 9 3 8 7 6 4 2 5 SIHANOUKVILLE PLACES OF INTEREST Sokha Beach - Though the resort by the same name takes up the entire length, the beach is open to the pub- Kampong Pier Tumnup Rolok is a small fishing port just 4 1 north of the main harbor. Each evening around sunset lic. Peaceful and quiet, the resort offers visitors good food the fishermen head out to sea in their colorful boats. and a refreshing bar. is probably the most popular in the Golden Lions Monument is the most popular symbol Serendipity Beach 2 of Sihanoukville. The monument and gardens that sur- 5 area. With wonderful sand and surroundings, it also of- round it were built in 1996. It is centered in a traffic loop and fers a lot of small restaurants and bars with great seafood is easily accessible from one of the many Cambodian restau- and cold drinks. Rumor has it that the beach got its name rants or bars that line the road. from a young American backpacker a few years back. This is not a complete list of the beaches surrounding Sihanoukville. Independence Square and Monument were built in Tell your taxi driver what kind of beach you are looking for. 3 1985 in honor of those who died during Cambodia’s ear- Whether you want one with a lot of bars and restaurants or lier struggle for independence from the French. secluded and off the beaten path, you can find it in or around Sihanoukville. Intra Ngean Pagoda or Wat Intra Ngean, known as Wat Krom SHORE EXCURSIONS 6 (lower Wat) by the locals. It is one of three pagodas in Siha- To make the most of your visit to Sihanoukville and noukville. First built in the 1960s, the pagoda was destroyed during surrounding areas, we suggest you take one of the or- the civil war in 1975. The pagoda was completely renovated in the ganized Shore Excursions. For Information concern- 1990s. It sits on a small hill offering a view of the town. The temple ing tour content and pricing, consult has a painting depicting the past life of Buddha and his teaching. azamaracruises.com or contact the onboard Shore This temple is close to the center of town. Excursion Desk. When going ashore, guests are ad- vised to take with them only the items they need and BEYOND SIHANOUKVILLE to secure any valuables. Siem Reap is the small yet energetic gateway city to the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. Much of the architecture is in the French LOCAL CUSTOMS colonianl style. The city is actually a group of villages that grew Bargaining: Bargaining is an accepted practice in up around the Buddhist temple sites along the Siem Reap River. Cambodia. It is always done in a friendly and polite Besides visiting the temples, you can tour the rice paddies and silk manner. farms. There are a number of small fishing villages and a beautiful bird santuary close by. Tipping: There is no set standard for tipping, but it is accepted and appreciated. Keep in mind that the me- Angkor Wat was only a myth and legend of an ancient city hidden dian annual income in Cambodia is about $500 U.S. If under centuries of jungle growth. French colonialist in the 1860’s someone provides you with exceptional service, what who were told the stories by the local villagers did not believe them. to you may seem like a small tip is in fact generosity But the amazing temple complex, built by Suryavarman II between and a compliment. 1113 and 1150, was very real. An amazing feat of artistic design, engineering and construction, the complex uses as much stone The people of Cambodia are warm, friendly and very as the Great Pyramid of Egypt. Over one hundred years after its polite. The concept of saving or losing “Face” is ex- discovery the temple continues to amaze scholars, archeologists tremely important. As a guest in their country it is nec- and tourist alike. It is truly a wonder of the ancient world. essary to understand that to argue with or be critical or to embarrass someone in public will cause them to lose face. On the other hand, to publicly compliment or praise someone for their help or a job well done, is highly prized by the recipient. If you happen to be eating a bowl of rice with your meal and you are us- ing chop-stick be sure not to stick them straight up in Phnom Penh is the bustling capital of Cambodia, the cultural and the bowl and leave them there. As is the custom with economic hub of the country. The city has a wonderful blend of the sticks of incense in a temple, this would be a sign of ancient and modern, the good and the bad. The places to see are: mourning. the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Wat Phnom (a Buddhist temple) and on a more serious note, the Toul Sleng Dress Code: Buddhism is the major religion of Cam- Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields.