The reclining lord Buddha

The temple complex Preah Ang Thom is worth a trip to Phnom Kulen/Kulen Mountains in itself. But a large experience within Ang Thom is the 8 meter long statue of a reclining Buddha.

It is the largest in Cambodia and among the 20 largest reclining Buddha-status in Asia. It rests on top of a sandstone formation, and the statue is carved out as part of that sandstone.

Meaning someone saw the Lord Buddha in the stone and carved until he was set free. The classics motivation in art works in any human civilisation.

A holy area
The surrounding Preah Ang Thom temple was built after the Buddha was carved. Getting to this site is easy by car from Siem Reap, and the area carries a lot of other excursion worthy sites.
This includes walking trails for the day trip trekker, a river with a thousand lingam carvings and holy waterfall. The conglomerate of holy sites on the Kulen Mountain was proposed as an official World Cultural Heritage site by Cambodia just when the pandemic started.

An approval of this request seems like a proper next step. This is the national mountains and cradle of Khmer imperial culture after all. Here the first god king of the Khmer Angkor Empire declared the establishment of the Empire in 802 CE, establishing an empire lasting for the next 630 years.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2021/04/07/somewhere-to-run-to-someone-is-eager-to-visit/

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Hunting red bananas in the woods

The red bananas from Kulen mountains are a treat and a sweet surprise. They are easily available visiting the sacred mountain and cradle of the Khmer civilization.

Along the hillside road to the Kulen sites, including Preah Ang Thom with Cambodia’s largest reclining buddha, the thousand lingams river and the waterfall in these holy mountains, there are market stalls. Here the locals are selling veggies and fruit, as well as food, drinks and miscellanies like flip flops, hats and krama scarf.

Chek!
These red bananas, “chek leak” in Khmer looks and taste great and is a must-have among the produce offered. The Chek Leak is a bit more expensive than the more ordinary bananas, chek, in Cambodia. Expect prices up to 5 USD a kilo.

For the banana lover, Cambodia is where to make out big time. There are at least 27 different chek/banana versions available in different sizes and colours, and they are often very inexpensive. They vary from the immediately snackable to the savoury plantain version best known for different cooked dishes in various cuisines around the globe.

You may even find a typical Cavendish banana in Cambodia, if that is your craving.

It all ads into the extensive list of fresh fruit easily available for people living or travel in the Kingdom of Wonder.

Open markets are affluent on the road to Kulen Mountain, attracting a lot of different customers. It is an hour-hour and a half drive from Siem Reap, depending on traffic.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2021/01/09/reclining-at-the-craddle-of-khmer-empire-3/

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Somewhere to run to

At least this one is eager to visit the Reclining Buddha and get the monks blessing.

The entrance stairs to one of the most sacred places on Cambodia’s sacred mountain is often filled with people entering and leaving.

In ancient Khmer, the mountains were named after Indra, the king of gods in the Hinduist realm of Kambuja, or Khmer Angkor Empire as we call it today.

The Kulen Mountains is the mythic origin of the Khmer and Angkor Imperial culture and visiting and view all the sights take several days, or several visits.

But the visits are worth it.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2023/01/07/red-and-chek-y/

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Mommy’s shy little helper
Running a street food restaurant is normally a family business.
But even if mom is proud to show off her skills, the children may disappear in the background.
Or shyly hide.

Weekend picnic food
A weekend trip out of Siem Reap City with family and friends must include food. These stalls along the road or at visiting sites sells the favourite Khmer go-to food: grilled fish and BBQ-chicken. Often with catch of the day or the chef-mommy’s special seasoning or sauce as a bonus.
Then eaten nearby on a picnic mat with rice and cold drinks.
After which the holy falls of Kulen Mountains is visited for a cool and refreshing dip.
This can be a day-off relaxing highlight of an off-the-beaten-track trip. But this is Phnom Kulen, and during weekends it is a very popular spot for Khmer families to visit.
https://www.cantravelwilltravel.com/kulen-mountain-day.../
Visitors and tourists from out of the province are advised to visit during weekdays if they want a less crowdy experience.

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