Cambodia - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 417

AROUND PHNOM PENH
There are several sites close to Phnom Penh that make for interesting excursions.
Tonlé Bati, Phnom Tamao and Phnom Chisor are all near each other on NH2 and make a
great full-day remorque excursion (US$35) or motorbike ride.
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Koh Dach
Known as 'Silk Island' by foreigners, this is actually a pair of islands lying in the Mekong
River about 5km northeast of the Japanese Friendship Bridge. They make for an easy half-
day DIY excursion for those who want to experience the 'real Cambodia'. The hustle and
bustle of Phnom Penh feels light years away here. The name derives from the preponder-
ance of silk weavers who inhabit the islands, and you'll have plenty of chances to buy from
them.
Remorque drivers offer half-day tours to Koh Dach; US$12 should do it, but be ready to
negotiate. Daily boat tours from the tourist boat dock, departing at 8.30am, 9.30am and
1pm, are another option (minimum four people). If self-driving, cross the Japanese Bridge
and follow NH6 for a few kilometres before turning right and picking up a dirt road that's
parallel to the river, which leads right to the ferry landing.
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Tonlé Bati
Locals love to come to this lake (admission US$3) for picnics, as along the way they can stop
off at two 12th-century temples: Ta Prohm MAP and Yeay Peau . Ta Prohm is the more inter-
esting of the two; it has some fine carvings in good condition, depicting scenes of birth,
dishonour and damnation.
The well-marked turn-off to Tonlé Bati is on the right, 33km south of central Phnom
Penh. The Takeo-bound Phnom Penh Sorya bus (8000r, four daily - shoot for the 7am or
the 10.30am one) can drop you here; find a moto to the temples (1.8km from the highway).
Returning to Phnom Penh can be problematic. The best advice is to buy a ticket in advance
on Sorya's Takeo-Phnom Penh bus. Otherwise, hire a moto .