atomized

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yup thats the term befitting of that very endearing small town. so diametrically opposite from the cities we've set foot on so far, where it reeks of the customary attractions and visits, kampot was a welcome breath of fresh air. kampot was in a most dischevelled state, as if still reeling from the affliction inflicted from the pol pot days of old. the towns of kampot and kep were savagedly razed and ravaged to the point of disrepair, that the most sophisticated piece of infrastructure the town boasts of is a half-baked roundabout, or at least a decent attempt at one. largely spontaneous, the tenure at kampot was in many ways incidental given we decided to ditch sihanoukville plans in phnom penh.

having settled down the enchanting thing was actually the palpable dearth of the foreign entourage; we were amongst a handful around, and its not as though we dont resemble thai or khmer enough haha. eventually the nat'l park proposition was derailed when even the locals claimed it was more hype than anything. with waterfalls and rapids that contrive to be a dripping faucet more than anything, it seems. so with that we sashayed around the town aimlessly. what subsequently unravelled contrived to be the most beguilling part of our 2 wks so far! we sauntered into schools and had a ball with the kids. we were even guest speakers haha. quite a staggering episode. also met a london lady who founded a performing arts troupe for the khmer people striken with various disabilities in cambodia, and gives them a chance to showcase their talents and do something gainful with a cafe she established. so that was how a fortuitous installment in kampot transpired. so i suppose that day went quite a long way in fostering a most exponentially educational ride for me.

we head to vietnam tmr, saigon is first up before we traverse the entire coastline up to hanoi eventually; making a few pitstops in the process. cambodia has been impeccable and dainty, and im eternally grateful. hope all's mighty fine back at home with you fellas. chowww.

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