AMPE PHNOM, MONKEYS AND MONKEY BRIDGE

 Located 48 km from Phnom Penh, close to the provincial town of Kompong Speu, Ampe Phnom is an ideal place to spend the day away from the turbulence of the capital.

Accessible from the RN4 towards Sihanoukville, the site is indicated by a sign located just after the LHR gas station on your left, at the entrance to the prefecture, at the Teacher Training College.
After one or two kilometers on a small asphalt road, a second sign indicates the entrance to the resort.

Picnic at Ampe Phnom - Kompong Speu Province, Cambodia

Installed along a small river, many small huts allow you to sit in the shade, and laze in hammocks while waiting for lunch to be served. Delicious cuisine despite a relatively small choice, with some unusual specialties, local wild boar (Chrouk Prey) and venison (Chhlous), while enjoying the view overlooking the river and the bridge.

View from Monkey Bridge, Ampe Phnom Resort - Kompong Speu Province, Cambodia

It will cost you 500 riel per person to get onto the rattling monkey bridge and cross the river.

On the Ampe Phnom suspension bridge - Kompong Speu Province, Cambodia

You will be greeted on the other side by dozens of not shy little monkeys, who will quickly come and surround you to catch one of the cupcakes that are sold by the locals and will arouse much envy on the fly.

Monkeys at Ampe Phnom - Kompong Speu Province, Cambodia

The monkeys are added to the carved bestiary at the foot of the small hill on which there is a Buddhist place of worship. The twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac are notably represented, each mounted by a human, or even a Khmer mythical figure, giant, princess or local deity.

Sculptures of Chinese Zodiac Signs - Ampe Phnom - Kompong Speu Province, Cambodia

Finally take one of the stairs to climb up the small hill. Kru Tiey, kind of seers often consulted by Cambodians when difficult events are going through or important decisions to be made await you quietly installed on their kantel.

Ampe Phnom Pagoda - Kompong Speu Province, Cambodia

Your date and day of birth, a few thousand riel given at the end will allow the Kru Tiey to read in you as in an open book. A succession of numbers and signs are drawn on a small board, and the Kru Tiey will be able to speak with astonishing accuracy about what you are, what you have lived, and will give you some indications on your next years.

Cambodian seer, in Ampe Phnom - Kompong Speu Province, Cambodia

Finally ask to consult the Kompi that you will place above your head while concentrating, before inserting in the place of your choice before returning it to the Kru Tiey.

Book of a Khmer seer from Ampe Phnom - Kompong Speu Province, Cambodia

A short text designated among dozens of philosophical maxims transmitted by elders and inscribed on the pages of the little book will give you precious indications on "the sauce in which life eats you".