I have posted numerous times about my escapades to countries within the south/southeast Asian realm, but here I am about to clue you into one of Cambodia's own beautiful gems. Where is this place I speak of? Carved out of Battambang province, the province where I live, is the small province of Pailin, Cambodia's own wild, wild, west. My first in country vacation was to this small, rural, mountainous province that is surrounded on three sides by Battambang province and on the fourth by Thailand.
Pailin, A Cambodian Gem
My inspiration to visit Pailin was threefold. I wanted to visit a local waterfall, see the mountains, and visit a resort I saw in a local tourist magazine. During my two day, one night trip I was able to do all three. First up was Phnom Kieu (Blue Mountain) waterfall. There my travel companions and I swam in the pools of the multi-stage falls and had lunch at a small restaurant overlooking the main stage. From the waterfall we headed through Pailin town to the Memoria Palace resort on the other side.
The stand-alone wood and concrete bungalows of the resort are nestled in a small valley with the resort's pool set on a hill to one side. From the pool there was a 180 degree view of the surrounding tree covered mountains. Waking up the following morning was a very unique experience for me in Cambodia. What made it so unique was that it was completely silent. There was the absence of the daily Cambodian grind that I have grown accustomed to for the past year and a half. It was a truly relaxing experience in Cambodia.
17th January by Matthew Dantism
Pailin, A Cambodian Gem
