Kratie
Province, located on the east bank of the Mekong River, attracts a fair share
of visitors, many of whom wish to catch a glimpse of the last few
Irrawaddy Dolphins left in the world. The recommended place to see them
is Kampi Village, about 15 kilometers from town. Irrawaddy Dolphins are an
endangered species and are extremely rare; it is estimated there are only about
60 living in this stretch of the river.
The town of Kratie offers an authentic
rural ambience, and therefore serves as the perfect place to spend a peaceful
night or two. It is a nice relief from some of the country’s more
trafficked areas.
There numerous sites to visit in Kratie. Phnom Sombok is a small
temple located on a hill north of town. A long flight of steps lead into a
pavilion of Phnom Sombok that features
detailed photos of afterlife punishments to those who have sinned in the
present life. Wat Roka Kandal is a restored pagoda with an ancient Lao
style ‘Stupa’ on the riverfront about 2 kilometers from the town
center. Nearby lies a more modern pagoda where chanting of the monks can
be heard at dawn and in the evenings. About 15 kilometers from town, there
is a large Cham community. This is known locally as the ‘basket-weaving’
village; it is the biggest in Kratie with over 4000 villagers living here.
A popular end-of-the-day activity in Kratie is to
relax by the riverfront to watch the sun set.
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