Tuesday was the long anticipated grand opening of the new bridge in Sihanouk Ville. The Techo Morakot Bridge, funded by the Koh Puos (Cambodia) Investment Group, links the mainland with Koh Puos, the nearest island. Rumour has it that it was entirely funded by local Russian investors. That may be true, but rumours always claim that everything of any size and scope around here is funded by the Russians. Be that as it may, it’s a beautiful bridge and in a few years, Koh Puos is meant to become a resort haven for the wealthy. There are already a couple of billboards around town advertising the luxury villas that are going to be built there.
Sihanoukville from the Bridge
I’ve been watching the bridge’s progress since rumours of its construction began. At first no one believed it would be built. Then almost no one believed it would be completed. Despite the fact that work never stopped, about a year ago, the rumour being passed around by the local expat community was that the investors had run out of money and Sihanoukville was forever going to have a half completed bridge.
As you can see, the bridge has been completed and it’s a beauty. It was a real pleasure to drive across it on opening day. I’m a little sad that the island is going to be developed. It’s so beautiful just as it is. Hopefully, they’ll leave some of the jungle there as a reminder of what this whole coast used to look like.
As little as fifteen years ago, my wife spent 3 years wandering alone through the jungles of
Koh Puos from the Bridge
Cambodia. She managed to make her way all the way up to the far north of the country without passing through a village. Though loneliness finally got to her, she still speaks nostalgically of that time, when she was free to do as she liked and lived amongst the tigers, elephants, monkeys and other wildlife that were still so abundant in Cambodia such a short time ago.
Koh Puos (Snake Island)
Like her, I wish there was a way to turn back the clock and rearrange history. What if Cambodia had never been occupied by the French, bombed by America and devastated by the Khmer Rouge? What if it could have continued to flourish as it did at the time of the Khmer Empire? Like Sopheak, I long for a simpler life, but, like her, I’m caught in the matrix of modern life.
The Techo Morakat Bridge is a symbol not just of Sihanoukville’s growth, but of all of Cambodia’s
growth. All Cambodians are proud of it. By Thursday, after word had gotten out, half of Cambodia had come to Sihanouk Ville to see it, or so it seemed. We took a ride out there and it was packed. Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera with me, so you’ll have to take my word for it.
While I personally have mixed feelings about this new symbol of Cambodia’s growth and prosperity, I don’t want to rain on anybody’s parade. Congratulations, Kampuchea! You’ve come a long way.
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Andrew
February 22, 2012 at 6:26 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Greetings!
The bridge is truly a significant milestone in the Cambodian coastal development. It is true that all investments are Russian-backed, however, not local by any means. Currently the bridge is closed and will remain so for a while due to safety because of active construction work on the island. Even though it is a Cambodian island, the project is targeted to become one of the most unique and luxury Asian island-based resorts. It will be opened to anyone as soon as infrastructure, residential and hotel work is completed. The idea is to create a boutique, ecological, nature-friendly harmonious living/playing environment.
Thought – get your information from the original source. It is always the most reliable.
Best.
Rob
February 22, 2012 at 7:20 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Thanks for the update. It’s a old post and was hastily written. Now that I have a link to the original source, I’ll definitely write an update. It was a rather rude commenter who suggested it was closed to keep the ‘commoners’ out. My reply to that comment reflects what you said: it is closed “due to safety.”
Upon rereading the article, I can see that I may have fallen victim to another rumour when I wrote that the island was owned by an individual. I still have my romantic “back to nature” ideals, but the island does represent real progress for Sihanoukville and will provide positive benefits for the local community and as you say, it is going to be an eco-friendly development.
Anything to shake off the old “Snookyville” image has got to be good.
Thank you very much for taking the time to comment.
gregory davis
August 8, 2011 at 7:13 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Hello,
I am Mr Gregory Davis from England and i wish to make reservations in your accommodation/hospitality.I hereby check for availability in your accommodation from the 15th OCT 2011 to 24th day of OCT 2011(Check-in 15th OCT 2011 and check-out 12 noon 24th OCT 2011) which is 9 nights.I inquire for 6 double rooms in regards to 12 adult delegates.
Please get back to me With the confirmation of availability and prices
.I await your reply soon.
Have a nice day.
admin
August 8, 2011 at 7:38 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I’m sorry, I don’t have an accommodation in Sihanoukville. In the future, I hope to add accommodation reviews to my website, but haven’t the time to do so just yet.
Alex
July 22, 2011 at 11:17 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
what you forgot to mention is that the bridge was closed again the next day and is not passable for the commoner. I wonder what there is to congratulate for…
admin
July 23, 2011 at 2:14 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Actually, it was not closed until Friday and it was closed to everyone, not just commoners. Now they are going to work on the infrastructure. I just learned from a reasonably reliable source that the island is owned by an individual, a Russian, who is in a race with the Pearl City developers to finish first in order to sell his villas to those who can afford them. Yes, it is intended to be an exclusive island, with only some token public access areas. My point was that it is symbolic of progress and growth. As I mentioned, it’s not the kind of growth I would like to see. I’d prefer it to be a nature reserve.
Morakot Island Update Sihanoukville Journal
March 3, 2012 at 6:58 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
[...] ago, I wrote a post about the Grand Opening of the New Sihanoukville Bridge. Except for a brief re-opening, the bridge has been closed since then while developers focus on [...]