Mastodawn

Secrets of the #karst: #NewSpecies found in #Cambodia’s limestone #caves – in pictures https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2026/mar/23/cambodia-karst-new-species-limestone-caves-aoe

"A survey has revealed the vast array of wildlife – some never seen before – living within the south-east Asian country’s karst ecosystems. The survey team explored more than 60 caves across 10 hills in #Battambang province"

cw: #snakes inside

Michael Perry 1d ago

#Battambang trip ends with an argument. Not tue best way to I felt bad for family visitors. It was near 40 today and they were waiting for food outside. Sometimes people just don’t think much. If at all. They were relieved we left. Tourist day done. Draft beer at small pub. Sitting on second floor balcony. I can do this! Tomorrow back to Siem Reap. Now the beer and sunset.

AskDRZ in Asia 1d ago

Greetings from Granny Sampov

Met this not easily impressed lady macaque in the temple complex on top of Phnom Sampov, outside Battambang.

Somehow she reminds me of certain family. Namely the ones who always wonders why younger family members haven’t moved back, and why they’re not married yet. With an added advice to settle down and start a proper family.

Phnom Sampov are known for its bat cave. But there is much more to see.

#battambang #batcave #PhnomSampov #granny #visitcambodia #macaque

Dag-Rune Z Mar 20

Greetings from Granny Sampov

Somehow this elderly lady reminds me of some certain members of my family. Namely the ones who always wonders why younger family members haven’t called lately, and why they’re not married yet. With an added advice to settle down and start a proper family.

Met this not easily impressed lady macaque in the temple complex on top of Phnom Sampov, outside Battambang.

More than bat caves
These hills are well known for its bat cave and sunset departure of hundred of thousands of bats for the night hunt. But there is much more to the “ship mountain” Phnom Sampeau/Sampov than bats. There are several sites in the hills worth a visit.

Two larger monasteries with pagodas and stupas, monkeys and large caves are worth visiting both for cave fans and people of all parts of Cambodian history. The caves on this and the other small mountain hills in this cluster carry with it stories of tradition, happiness and deep tragedy.

It is worth spending some time walking these hills. For the well fit, there is an opportunity to trek the stairs and tracks up the hill. The fast alternative is to pay a driver to take you up to the sites by car.

Phnom Sampov is north-west of Battambang city in the west of Cambodia. It takes about 30-40 minutes by car to get there from the city.

Do not feed the monkeys
The monkeys are a part of the pagoda experience. These longtail Macaques are normally very friendly because they expect to get, or steal, food or items for play from the visitors.

Please, do not feed the monkeys. It reduces their ability to hunt and gather their own food. It may lead to malnutrition.

#battambang #batcave #PhnomSampeou #oldlady #khmermother #granny #temple #bluesky #roadtrip #countryside #2019CE #architecture #art #Buddhism #Cambodia #Hinduism #khmer #Nikkor #Nikon #southeast #asia #southeastasia #stupas #KR #deathcaves #tragedy #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #watsampeou #PhnomSampov #macaque #macaquemonkey #Pagoda #PhnomSampeau #visitbattambang

Dag-Rune Z Feb 5

When your home is a temple

Some of the temples you see in Cambodia are marvels of intrinsic details, but sometimes the cohabitants are, too. Like this one at Phnom Sampov/Phnom Sampeau near Battambang.

The monkeys at most of these temple sites around Asia are peaceful, knowing they are safe and have access to food and water. But they are also nosy and cheeky, and any seasoned traveller know to keep their belongings, food and water well contained or hidden around these rascals.

No feeding or fighting
Even if they are small, they are strong and have sharp teeth. So there is no use try picking a fight.

And never, ever feed the monkeys. It reduces their ability to hunt and gather their own food, leading to malnutrition and they become more aggressive in close contact with humans.

Small gene pools
Another challenge for these monkeys are the limited numbers of members in each family group in each temple. That is causing some problems with inbreeding due to small gene pools.

We are talking severe Habsburger jaw and bulbous lips, to use a European reference to tragedy and disaster when science is absent. I have observed this inbreeding problem to become lesser over the last few years in Cambodia, as the caretaking of these cultural heritage sites improves. Including for the animals.

But the monkeys also ad personality and scale to these photos. So I would miss having them around, if they where to disappear.

#battambang #batcave #PhnomSampeou #watsampeou #stupas #temple #gold #bluesky #roadtrip #countryside #2019CE #Angkor #architecture #art #Battambang #bluesky #Buddhism #Cambodia #gallery #gold #Hinduism #Kampuchea #khmer #Nikkor #Nikon #Phnom #Sampeou #siemreap #sightseeing #southeast #asia #southeastasia #stupas #KR #deathcaves #tragedy #temple #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #watsampeou #PhnomSampov #ឡូរីជើងភ្នំបាណន់ #green #guardian #hill #macaque #macaquemonkey #nature #Pagoda #PhnomSampeau #PhnomSompov #visitbattambang

AskDRZ in Asia Jan 8

Just a nap in a restful and truly colourful place

The mountain of Phnom Sampov, Battambang is a collection of beautiful temples and monasteries in several variations and locations.

In the east area of the mountain, a pagoda and stupa complex are surrounding the monastery at Wat Sampeou. There are several outlooks with a fantastic view to the surrounding Cambodian countryside.

No wonders locals need some rest in the heat of the day.

#khmer #culturalheritage #Battambang #PhnomSampov #Cambodia

Colegota en Akkoma Nov 15

Buenas,

Ayer fui de #SiemReap a #Battambang en #Camboya atravesando el lago #TonleSap en barca.

No es lo más rápido ni lo más barato, pero tienes ocasión de conocer la vida en el lago. Y no digo en la orilla, si no dentro.

La gente que no puede permitirse comprar tierras o casas, se las construye en palafitos en medio del lago y el trayecto va atravesando varias aldeas "flotantes".
Se les conoce así, aunque en realidad estas no flotan, sino que están construidas sobre pilares.

Después de cruzarme con algunas barcas con escolares, llegué a la escuela de donde provenían.

En la descripción de la foto hay más detalles.

#HistoriasDeViajes
#Travel #Cambodia
#Viajes

Meanwhile in Thailand Nov 3

Then we head to the last stop of our Killing Caves day trip, the bamboo train.

Read more 👉 https://lttr.ai/AkUan

#KhmerRougeRegime #Battambang #Cambodia

AskDRZ in Asia Sep 12, 2025

Battambang city in West-Cambodia distinctive features are remarkable statues at major entry points.

The most iconic of these statues is the multicoloured (blue, black, and red) of Ta Dambong holding a magical staff, said to have won him a kingdom.

Visitors frequently stop to offer prayers and make offerings of food, drink, incense, and money, seeking good fortune and safe travels.

The city of Battambang ("Bat-dam-bong") is named after him.

#2019CE #art #Battambang #Cambodia #khmer #roadtrip

Dag-Rune Z Aug 31, 2025

The magic staff establishing Battambang

Battambang is the prominent border city in West-Cambodia. It is rich in cultural and historical heritage. Among its most distinctive features are the remarkable statues positioned along the major roads leading into the city.

Ta Dambong and the Magic Staff
The most iconic of these statues is the multicoloured (blue, black, and red) figure of Ta Dambong holding a magical staff, said to have won him a kingdom. This statue is located at the eastern entrance to Battambang, along the main road from Phnom Penh.

The Lok Ta Dambong Kra Nhoung Shrine is one of the most visited sacred sites in the city. Visitors frequently stop to offer prayers and make offerings of food, drink, incense, and money, seeking good fortune and safe travels. It is also common for visitors to take selfies at the shrine as a gesture for a pleasant stay in Battambang.

Ta Dambong was a herdsman who discovered a magical staff that granted him the power to overthrow the reigning monarch and seize the throne.

When the king attempted to execute the sons of the former kings who had become monks the magic staff vanished into thin air—along with Ta Dambong’s royal power.

The prince reclaims the throne once held by his father.

The tale touches themes of royal legitimacy, social hierarchy, and the revered status of monks and holy men in Cambodian culture. But Ta Dambong is also celebrated as a folk hero. The city of Battambang (from "Bat-dam-bong") is named after him, and his figure is associated with good fortune and safe travel.

Battambang was established as a city during the peak of the Khmer Empire in the 12th century.

https://helloangkor.com/attractions/ta-dumbong-statue/

#2019CE #afternoon #art #ឡូរីជើងភ្នំបាណន់ #Bamboo #Train #bambootrain #Battambang #bluesky #Cambodia #Province #colonial #countryside #khmer #ancient #angkorarchitecture #archive #Buddhism #daytrip #history #imperial #Kampuchea #roadtrip #Sculpture #site #southeastasia