http://www.elephantguide.com/ratanakiri-checking-in/index.php

Alex.

If I am thinking of the same place (near the middle wat in Chhlong, about 200m south of the market) have visited your Grandfather’s house many times.

I first saw it in 2002; it was a ruin, with only a few rooms at the back occupied. One of the residents said that one of the district governors (his uncle) owned it, but could not afford to do any rennovations. The roof was almost gone, but the weathervane (with the date) was still there.

In 2003, the place was even more run-down, and I was quite scared to walk upstairs, as the floor was quite precarious. In a visit in 2004, I saw that the roof had been removed. I asked the residents (still living in the two rooms at the back) about the roof and the beautiful and historic weathervane. They said that the roof had partially collapsed, and so they had removed it all. They told me that the weathervane had been sold to the scrap metal merchant with all the other metal from the roof.

I got into a conversation with the owners’ sister, and she said that he loved the house, and that it had been in his family for a long time, and that they would never sell it.

On my last visit in late 2005 (before I left Cambodia and came back to Australia) – the house had been sold (or at least rented for the long-term) to a foreigner – I think a Frenchman. It had been totally renovated, with a new roof, new shutters etc. A couple of young workmen were staying there, and they showed me around. It was being done very tastefully, and in keeping with the colonial period. There was antique furniture, wood floors and old tiles. there were two bedrooms upstairs being fitted out, complete with en-suite bathrooms, and locks on the doors. It looked as though it might have been turning into a small hotel?
The workers did not know any more details about who had bought it or what was happening.

If you contact me (alex(at)diment.org) – I can send you some photos of the house at different times.

Regards,
Alex.
(previously advisor of the Mekong Dolphin Conservation Program)

This is the good project of yours taking about Cambodia. More comments, you may add more photos about the Dolphins in Kratie province; it should be the whole shape or things relate to Dlophin…

glad to hear from you again. Yet what a tragedy that your homeland now is a heartbroken place for you. I am unable to imagine how it feels to go through so much misery. However, I would imagine that today in Cambodia you would find also signs of hope and change and maybe more good happy days, so I hope you will visit your homeland again.

Take care,
Stefan

It is good surprise to read from you so soon, thanks to the internet. Frankly speaking,I am a novice in internet and I am not sure whether my reply will reach you at first. In fact, I have my passport ready in hand for the voyage toCambodia
but when i think of my dear father,brothers and young sister
they were all perished in the hands of Khmer Rouge,Cambodia has become a heartbroken place for me
that is the reason why I hesitate to return to my birthplace
But everyday thru the internet I try to get info and photos
from Cambodia and think of the good old happy days before the wartimes,somethings very nostlgic!
From now on I will pay more attention for your travelogues.
With my best regards!

Samnang from Paris

I was delighted to read your post. I do not recall seing the house you mention. Unfortunately it was dark for most of the little time I spent there. If it faces the Mekong I may have seen it earlier when I passed the place by boat. I should have known then I would have gone there and taken a picture for you. Next time I am in Chhlong I will certainly look out for it. Unfortunately this will not happen before the end of this year.

More importantly I hope that you will be able to visit your homeland and the house your great grandfather built.

Be well, and best of luck from Kingston,
Stefan