Eastern Cambodia - Cambodia - page 567

A small Cultural & Environmental Centre has a modest display on ethnic minorities in
the province and hires out life jackets for the young 'uns. The local Tompuon minority has
a 25-year lease to manage the lake through to 2021, and proceeds from the entry fee go to-
wards improving life in the nearby villages. However, developers, backed by local politi-
cians, have long been clamoring for the sacred lands around the lake. One can only hope
they are kept at bay and that Boeng Yeak Lom is preserved in all of its pristine glory - an
all too rare occurrence in Cambodia.
To get to Boeng Yeak Lom from Ban Lung's central roundabout, head east towards Vi-
etnam for 3km, turn right at the prominent minorities statue and proceed 2km or so. Motos
charge US$3 return (more if you make them wait), while remorks have been known to
charge up to US$10 return. It takes almost an hour to reach the lake on foot from Ban
Lung.

Waterfalls
Tucked amid the sprawling cashew and rubber plantations just west of Ban Lung are three
waterfalls worth visiting: Chaa Ong (admission 2000r) , Ka Tieng (admission 2000r) and Kinchaan
(Kachang; admission 2000r) . All are within a 20-minute moto ride of town, and visits to all
three are usually included in half- and full-day excursions offered by tour companies.
The most spectacular and tallest of the three is 25m Chaa Ong, as it is set in a jungle
gorge and you can clamber behind the waterfall or venture underneath for a power
shower. However, it dries up from about January to May. Ka Tieng is the most enjoyable,
as it drops over a rock shelf allowing you to clamber all the way behind. There are some
vines on the far side that are strong enough to swing on for some Tarzan action.
The turn-offs to all three waterfalls are 200m west of the new bus station, just beyond a
Lina petrol station. There's signage but it's barely visible. The Chaa Ong turn-off is on the
right (north) side of NH19; the waterfall is 5.5km from the highway along a dirt road. The
turn-off to Ka Tieng and Kinchaan is on the left side of NH19; proceed 5.5km to a fork in
the road. Go left 200m to Kinchaan, or right 2.5km to Ka Tieng.
You can access all three falls year-round, but think twice about driving yourself on a
motorbike in the rainy season as the red-clay access roads are extremely slippery when
wet and you're almost guaranteed to wipe out. Motos (return US$6 for one water-fall, or
US$10 for all three) and remorks (US$10/20 for one/three waterfalls) can get you here
safely.

WATERFALL

Elephant Rides

ELEPHANTS