Tune to 16 years
ago, I was a teenager in high school, grade 11. I like football and often spent
time with it. Beside this outdoor sport, I found myself was interesting in hiking,
I felt in love with nature, especially mountains and forest. At that time,
there were almost no activities related with hiking or camping, therefore that
kind of entertainment remained in dream for youngsters like me as well as
others who had the same thought.
Central Cardamom Mountains.
In Cambodia adventure
activities grew dramatically since last year. Now camping or hiking activities
are widely spread among young adults. It can be clearly seen in some
universities. They encourage their students to join these activities. Furthermore,
some private companies or NGOs organize camping tour as inducement for their staffs during holiday. Not only for those big
groups but also small groups who share the same desire
often arrange event by themselves. My gang is one of that small groups.
We will share our moments
of Areng Valley adventure which is absolutely stunning when talking about ecotourism. Saturday June 17 2017 around 8:00 O’clock
in the morning, we departed from the Phnom Penh. The trip took for 2 hours
before we arrived Pich Nil. Generally, it is one of most famous sacred place where
everyone always pray for their safety travel when they pass by this area. Lok
Yeay Mao (Granny Mao) is believed to be a holy spirit who controls and protect
the coastal and mountainous area in Cambodia. Usually, prayers use a bunch of
banana with incense sticks to show their loyalty to Lok Yeay Mao. But for some
people they only pray in their mind, when they passed by. Located on a half way
between Phnom Penh and Sihanouk province, it offers a variety of foods and
drink to refill your energy. Over there, we were not only entreated for her
blessing but also, grabbed a cup of coffee each and continue our journey at 9:20
AM.
A man in sunglasses is gangs leader was waiting for a coffee.
On a Landcruiser old enough to be mid-classic, with
music and cold beers (normally, we bring all those stuffs along) to kill time
before we arrived Areng community. On national road N0.48, we
reached Veal Pi around 1:10 PM where we had lunch (Koh Kong style foods called
KENG= ឆាកែង). It was a good deal and delicious, cost us only
38,000 Riel for six people. This place is the turning point between Khemara Phoumin
city and Thmor Bang district, Koh Kong province as well as lead us to Areng
valley.
A sexy man was waiting for lunch at Veal Pi.
After lunch, we headed east from highway and moved
toward the jungle. On a 54 Km unsealed formed
road with the small of beautiful nature we could not run fast. We spent
approximately 40 minutes to reach Areng community, home to indigenous Chong people.
Areng community member's introducing Areng's hotspots.
Car
stopped right in front of Areng community office. My friends roughly, grabbed
their camera and took photos at the community gate to indicate that we’ve been
there. Instead of photo taking, I was running to the office listening to the community
staffs described briefly about all interesting places in Areng valley. All
those places we need to spend two weeks at lease to see
all beautiful features of central Cardamom mountains, said a staff. Due to time
limit, we only asked for camping ground, where is Chhay Ta Hing was recommended.
Immediately, we moved អា សំណព្វ to
Chhay Ta Hing where we
camped and had our dinner as well as cool beer (crucial drink that never left
behind). Not far from the village, we heard the beautiful sound of river
hopping the rocks, smelled the combination of nature from stinky swamp to freshness, we felt
so relaxing.
Only 5 Km from the village, we arrived Chhay Ta Hing. Overthere,
we setup our tents, prepared food s for dinner and beer. We all have fell in
love with the river, so we jumped in with a beer each. The water was petty cool
that we can see each other’s bodies were shaking.
We enjoyed the night unforgettably.
