Kampot

What a wonderful city and location to end my Cambodian trip with.

Kampot is a small city compared to Phnom Penh but perfectly formed, it sits on a river and is famous for its pepper and salt, which I bought none of because my bag is full to the brim!

I chose to stay outside of the city and it was the best decision I made, my home for 4 days was a small place in a garden bungalow sitting in the river, idyllic. So beautiful and peaceful that I extended by stay. I could swim in the stunning river, clean, fresh and surprisingly quiet.

I hired a bike to get me to and from green mango (my home for the time here, named after all the mango trees on the land) which was an excellent way to see the city and surrounding areas. As usual I had a day of orientation and came across the new dancing water show which Kampot hopes will encourage visitors. By the looks of the Friday night crowds, people love Kampot already.

I joined a countryside cycle tour on the Monday which was one of the best experiences I've had in Cambodia. 10 people in Canadian Jason's hands! All on 2 wheels and cycling through the countryside for the whole day. Jason has been in Kampot since Covid locked him in and he has spent the time finding out about history and traditions from local people. I learnt more in 1 day then I have managed to do my whole time in Cambodia.

We visited temples, monasteries, schools, rice fields, palm sugar organic farm and "factory" (Purely for local sales and me, its amazingly tasty, I'm be lucky if the jar makes it home) and a wonderful home cooked meal by Vin. Jason was interesting and obviously loved the country and the people.

The day ended with the whole group drinking beer and enjoying the time we all had together.

I took myself off for a kayak round the green cathedral, no cathedral, it's called that due to the tunnel of jungle plants that you kayake through. It was pretty if you saw past some of the debris from the rain.

And during the searing heat I found the salt fields! I just cycled through them but I can not imagine what working in them must be like. No shade at all! Unusual scenery and yet another example of the hard working Cambodian people.

My other big win from Kampot was being recommended a women's only day spa! What a lovely way to end my time here, just one photo taken but 4 people were treated to wonderful food, lovely, interesting company and an afternoon of traditional khmer herbal treatments. I felt like I was back at college, pestle and mortar at the ready, pounding ginger, turmeric, plai, finger root, rice powder and other herbs which was used to make a mixture to put all over our skin before steaming! A medicine to help all ills. After steaming, we were all treated to
massages and a soak in the natural pool. Banteay srey project is a social enterprise for woman's transformation. The mission of the project is providing rural khmer woman with on site training, well paid jobs and a more hopeful future for them and their families. Beautiful place.

The next page will be dedicated to my favourite photos of Cambodia and some words of reflection after visiting such a wonderful Country.Read more