Journey with Christina

I have to say that this was one of Jon and I’s favorite areas for experiencing Cambodia countryside. Kampot is located on the Tek Chhou river with the misty Bokor Mountains looming above. We rented a motorbike and with the assistance of the awesome French owner of our bungalow we set off on some adventures of the area.

The most impressive was Bokor Mountain with its old vacated French Colonial Villa with some impressive views. This is offset by the $100 million development of a resort and casino a short distance away. There are plans to have a massive housing development but so far no one is buying as the land is on lease and some of the people are opposed to the development. It was eerie for Jon and I to walk through a hotel that was staffed and set up to sleep 500 but had about 20 guests.

The abandoned French colonial villa, views of Vietnam’s Phu Quoc from the top pf Bokor Mountain, and the immense empty new hotel.

There have been a few surreal moments for me on this trip where I think, wow I am actually doing this. This is my life. I had one of these moments while I was on the back of the scooter while Jon and I were riding through the countryside visiting sacred lakes, caves, and pepper plantation. Supposedly Kampot pepper in the world and currently is going for $22 for 4 ounces on Amazon. Jon and I had a lovely day learning about the pepper and then having lunch in their veranda restaurant.

The pepper farm with the sacred lake in the background, the veranda where we enjoyed lunch and different types of pepper.

The Cambodian roads, Kampot country-side with Bokor Mountain in the background and cave exploring.

Kayaking the mangroves.

We also took a side trip to Kep where we explored the vacant old French mansions abandoned when the Khmer Rouge came into power. There are also some amazing hiking trails and the most delicious steamed pepper crab. A lot of work but well worth it.

An abandoned mansion and Kep beach with the national park for hiking in the background.

Me enjoying my Pepper Crab.

And the food! There are a lot of expats living in the area so you can get any type of food you want and it is all cheap and delicious. I had the best pasta of my life for about $3 at a food stall on the side of a road run by an Italian. And yes, I have been to Italy and also worked right next door to Boston’s North End so I have had good pasta.

Where we stayed, Kampot Cabanas, we had small thatched bungalow with a fan and a shared bathroom for about $12 a night. The property had a restaurant with delicious food and the property had a lush and relaxed atmosphere right on the river. The owner had to be the most helpful we have encountered planning out our days with us and providing us with a moto for $5 a day. He even made his own flavored liquor that we could sample after dinner.

Our bungalow and relaxing riverside restaurant.