Kampot

Started the morning with a bus journey to Phnom Chiso temple. The ride was great as got to see a lot of the countryside en route. The rainy season has just finished here so everything is beautiful - lush greenery, rice in the fields and flowers of every colour. I wanted all of them for my garden! Passing through the villages was interesting and our tour guide told us a lot about the struggles the Cambodian people have been through which puts thing into a bit of context. It's cliche but it does remind you of how lucky you are as a Westerner to have a social safety net and healthcare even though it's a bit shit sometimes. The temple was lovely. Our group had it almost entirely to ourselves which always makes it a bit more atmospheric. Built in the 11th century, the temple was subsequently abandoned but is now worshipped in and well kept. After that we headed to Kampot after a brief interlude when our tyre blew and we had to sit in a service station Amazon cafe. (Who knew they still existed? Finally my 90s childhood goal was realised when I got to go). In Kampot we went for a sunset cruise which was sadly lacking in sunset as the clouds drew in. So no sunset but this was more than made up for by seeing some fireflies, which were like little fairy lights in the trees (please no-one tell me these are just fake ones planted by the boat ride company. Let a bitch live).Read more