Three Coastal Towns

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Sihanoukville, Kampot, Kep: casinos, crumbling towns, and ghost resort. Kampot was the main centre on the Cambodian coast until Sihanoukville was founded in 1964. Now post-war reconstruction is focusing on this ugly place. Kampot is surprisingly unchanged; it's hardly received a facelift. All the buildings in Kep were gutted during the war, and it is still full of the shells of once-affluent holiday houses. The seafood remains great.

Travel Notes

Kampot is two hours by taxi, US$20, from Sihanoukville. Kep is another forty minutes by tuk-tuk, US$8.00. Stay in Sihanoukville for backpacker and beach culture, in Kampot for old-time relaxation, and in Kep's small resort hotel for a total chill out. I paid US$9.00 at the Kampot Guest House for an old-fashioned master bedroom, with hot water, fan, and writing desk. I explored Sihanoukville in the back of a tuk-tuk, Kampot on a hired bicycle, and Kep in another tuk-tuk.

How I’ve been

I'm loving the fact that so many friends are commenting on my posts. I've been trying to write replies, but I can't really imagine that you see them. In future I'll put personal notes at the bottom of new posts. Tomorrow I'll write about how I got from Kampot to Battambang.

Brian: I wish you were coming along too.

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Photos

Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville has lions on it's central roundabout.

Sihanoukville
It also has a restaurant built around an old aeroplane ...

Sihanoukville
... and a lot of casinos.

Sihanoukville
The streets are almost empty of heavy traffic, ...

Sihanoukville
... but carries a certain amount of light traffic.

Kep
This is off-shore Rabbit Island, famed for its beaches. In view of the weather let go of plans to visit them.

Kep
It is a town of ghost houses.

Kep
This one is a former residence of King Sihanouk.

Kep
Kep is famous for its seafood, especially the fresh crab.

Kep
It also has a lady (not a mermaid) on a promentary, and the bad weather didn't keep visitors away.

Kep
Tuk-tuks line up on the beach-front waiting for their passengers to finish lunch.

Kep
Our lunch included Kep crab cooked in fresh Kampot peppers ...

Kep
... and fresh durian.

Kep
The Kep roundabout is only one of the places I've met these characters; I still have to work out who they are.

Kampot
This is the old bridge into Kampot, ...

Kampot
... the old regional centre ...

Kampot
... on the bank of the Prek Kampong Bay.

Kampot
This is the scene outside the Kampot market.

Kampot
Inside it is pretty basic.

Kampot
Pomellos and durian on sale inside the market.

Kampot
This lady found me some safety pins quickly, as soon as I'd drawn a picture of one.

Kampot
Kampot is full of attractive old colonial buildings.

Kampot
Most of them are ...

Kampot
... yet to be ...

Kampot
... renovated like this guesthouse.

Comments

[Alison]

I concur
Travel only to Sinoukville if you are desperate for the beach and for backpacker companions. Did you see a sunset down there, mama??? I remember them being particularly spectacular.

[Di]

I loved the picture of the restaurant with the plane stuck inside! Re the Kep roundabout characters: they look like they're from the Indian epic Ramayana, where the monkey God Hanuman rescues Sita, wife of Rama from a demon king.

[An Erratic Traveller]

Di: Kep roundabout
Yes, Mani sent me this message too: "Gillian those two characters are from the epic Ramayana. I believe it is the monkey God Hanuman carrying Sita , Rama's wife to safety after rescuing her from Ravana. I think that is what it looks like to me." Now it's pointed out to me I can see it, but the statues don't look to me like he is carrying her.

[An Erratic Traveller]

From Barbara
Hi Gillian, It was interesting to read your itinerary, and see how it’s going. I guess you’ll be on your way to Battenburg soon. Count me as one of your readers to whom your trip is all very exotic. Barbara from the WB.

[An Erratic Traveller]

From Barbara
Hi Gillian, It was interesting to read your itinerary, and see how it’s going. I guess you’ll be on your way to Battenburg soon. Count me as one of your readers to whom your trip is all very exotic. Barbara from the WB.

[Mary]

More Comments About Buildings And Food
When I scrolled by what you had for lunch. How spicy is the food? Mild, medium, hot, 3-alarm? Also, I like the Colonial architecture. I wonder if they will eventually restore/renovate the buildings? Keep on trekkin' Gillian.

[Lady]

I have been on va-cay as well, so I am way behind on your travels. I am still loving all your pictures and the on going commentary! I'll be caught up with you soon:)