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Published: January 22nd 2018
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Overnight we had torrential tropical rain and the roof of our converted barn/hotel being corregated steel, resounded to the impact all through the night. This put paid to our plans for a Boker National Park trek, revised plan originally was then to hire bicycles and cycle locally, but a short walk to Fish Island across the Kampot River, convinced us that the roads and track were all but impassable to two wheeled transport and the dark skies threatened more rain to come. Plan C, quick trip back to the hotel for more money and catch a bus to Kep. The bus was due to leave
at 10am, we loaded onboard with a host of backpackers, who were mostly en route to Ho Chi Minh City (12 hour trip minimum). The bus was crowded and very hot. Whilst we did leave
at 10 am, we continued to circumnavigate the town, variously picking up and dropping off people and luggage but constantly full. After 20 minutes we were all told to get off this bus and transfer to two other buses depending on destination. We then thought finally we were off only to return to our original embarkation point 30 minutes later, ARGH, Leo's blood pressure
rising. Finally one last change of driver and we are off! The driver obviously has a date with Nirvana as he proceeds at break neck speed mostly on the wrong side of the road for the most of the journey, Paula's blood pressure through the roof. (She closed her eyes, tightly and whimpered).
When we arrive at Kep bus station we realized we had survived a trip with Champa Mekong Express, which we'd noted to avoid at all costs when researching before our trip. Feeling foolish but relieved to be there, we brush past the eager tuk tuk drivers and wander in the direction of a beautiful clean sandy beach and huge erection named The White Lady Monument. We then realised that the sun was shining down through a clear blue sky and serenity was most definitely restored. Spending an hour or more sauntering along the beachfront path we found the famous crab market and restaurants. Eventually we felt ready for some lunch and searched and found a friend's recommendation, The Holy Crab. We were their first Customers of the day and staff were eager to greet us. Next door is a trip advisor favorite, the Kimly Restaurant and
they were doing good trade. It was tempting to follow the crowd, but A&M have given some great travel tips in the past, so we stick with The Holy Crab. Difficult to choose from a great menu of fresh fish and seafood but we eventually settle on Tempura Tiger Prawns with dip and salad, and a Khmer dish of Crab Amok with sticky rice. Absolutely delicious.
Well fed, we continued our wandering which included our first dip in the Gulf of Thailand. We had to settle for a good paddle as we didn't for one minute contemplate a full swim based on the mornings weather, so swim stuff back at our hotel. Our trip back was prebooked for 5 Pm with Kep-based Anny's Travel, but due to lack of beach gear we try for an earlier bus, we are told the earlier buses are full so we decide to defer minibus ride
until tomorrow (as we intend to return for a proper beach day), and book a slow and leisurely Tuk Tuk back to Kampot.
Activities intended for our Kampot visit were to include a National Park trek, a half-day Butterfly bicycle trip and an evening firefly cruise.
Sadly, there is too much flooding and mud on the tracks for these activities, but with a bit of luck the sun may shine on us in Kep again tomorrow. In summary, although the areas of Kampot and Kep are famed for their Pepper production, other activities are very weather-dependent, in our opinion and one more full day based in this region will be more than enough for us.
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RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew
Blue skies...
...always makes the world seem happier! That lunch at Kep sounds utterly delicious, and has made me very hungry :)