Preah Vihear May 2015 Account

Preah Vihear Temple

Preah Vihear is an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer (Angkorian) architecture.  It is very “pure” both in plan and in the detail of its decoration.

Situated between the border of Thailand and Cambodia on the edge of a plateau that dominates the plain of Cambodia, the temple is composed of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system pavement and staircase over an 800 meter long axis and dates back to the first half of the 11^th century AD. Nevertheless, its complex history can be traced to the 9^th Century, when the hermitage was founded.

Soldiers from the Cambodian Army have been guarding the Preah Vihear temple surrounded in jungle and bearing similarities to Angkor Wat, for the last few years.

The temple, declared a World Heritage Site in 2008, lies just 100 meters from the border with Thailand, a border that was created at the end of the Second World War.

Shortly after, Thai soldiers descended on the temple and a battle ensued with Cambodian troops, with the temple becoming a flashpoint for hostilities in the years that followed.

In November 2013, the International Court of Justice unanimously decided that the land around Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia and that Thailand should withdraw its troops.

I had a special privilege seeing the greatness of Preah Vihear when we were invited by the Cambodian Tourism Ministry May 2015 after my WOSM-Asia Pacific CALT Training in Siem Reap.  Preah Vihear Temple was finally opened to public viewing August 2015.

Tourists that made it to the far North of Cambodia to visit the site were required to check in at an army base on arrival.

High Junk Peak Hike (Tiu Yue Yung) with Arthur

Hong Kong Kowloon area is at 8 degrees (C) cold but rather great weather for it was not raining.  A relatively wonderful treat to us for the much anticipated hiking that we, Arthur and Diana (fellow CALT batchmates) planned months ago.  Days earlier however… we were discussing of what other things we might consider doing if in case the weather will not cooperate.  It was raining cats and dogs Friday. So glad, come hike day Saturday, we finally see the sun shined though Diana unexpectedly had to pass her previous commitment to us for a very urgent chore.

I met scout fellow Arthur 11:00 am at Nathan Road corner Cameron Rd.  After our CALT scout  meet and greet tradition that we devised during our training in Siem Reap months back, some how are yous here and there…….we immediately proceeded and took the TST MTR to Yau Ma Tei, then Tiu Keng Leng and finally alighted to Hang Hao for which is several steps away from our hike’s jump off point.

The first section of our hike was fairly steep although we did not notice it due to some interesting stories that we initially discussed while walking.  Some Scouting activities that we would like to have with our boys. 

After several minutes at an altitude of 326m, to our left  we can clearly see the view of beautiful Port Shelter as a reward. The section is called Nang Fai Tin.  The next section  Ha Yeung Shan and Miu Tsai Tun is much gentle, with contrasting views of scenic Clearwater Bay on the left and modern developments of Tseung Kwan O on the right. The once Tiu Keng Leng settlement and pier were replaced by MTR station and highrise communities.

I have seen some bike trails from sections Nang Fain Tin to Ha Shan Tuk.  Rolling trails hikers would definitely relish as the place offers nice hilltop views of the ocean and whimsical Hong Kong urban landscapes.  As we approached every section’s hill top strong winds blew us coming from various directions.   Trail winds round the mid slope, instead of the rugged uphill path.  Approaching High Junk Peak robust wind blew so I have to somehow crawl on the trail to have a firm balance and reduce the risk of getting blown away to the ravine on either sides of the trail.

View from the top is superb.  I had a temperature reading of 4 degrees with wind chill factor. From a distance we can sight Hong Kong’s  popular hike destination they call Sharp Peak.  Though looking from High Junk Peak, it somehow appears to be as rounded top!

High Junk Peak is also known to local people as Tiu Tue Yung but sometimes misconstrued the place not to be one and the same. 

Following the trail downhill, the lovely scenery of Hong Kong Island, Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club came into full view, as well as Basalt Island, the Ninepins and Tung Lung Chau.

We ended up our hike at the farthest end of Tai Miu Au just beside the main entrance arch of Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club. From there we walk down the road to Po Toi O Chuen Fishing Village then back at the Bus Terminus several minutes after.  We took a 16-seater van and got off to Tai O Mun bus terminus just several kilometers away to finally board another van that took us all the way to Tseung Kwan O MTR station.

At a mall near the MTR station a taste of Yunnan style noodle soup combo and an order of grilled chicken wings tastes similar to the Japanese “tebasaki” was indeed pleasurable nourishment we had before boarding the MTR back to the city.

We hike again next time, Brother Arthur!

Be it in your paradise Hong Kong or be it in my bliss back in the Philippines.