Kampot, a gem in Cambodia
Kampot, a gem in Cambodia
Cambodia's biggest attraction is undoubtedly Siem Reap with its 12e century built Angkor Wat temple located within the imposing remains of Ankor, the capital of the former immense Khmer empire to which, in addition to present-day Cambodia, large parts of Thailand, Vietnam and Laos also belonged.
In addition to this impressive historical heritage, the capital Phnom Penh and the seaside Sihanoukville are also in the interest of many tourists.
Kampot
The place has always been more or less in the shadow of nearby Sihanoukville because apparently tourists, unlike the residents, like to stay on the beach to return home with a tanned skin. Kampot is beautifully situated on the wide Kampor River a few kilometers from the Gulf of Thailand and is a cozy little place with a colonial past. Walking through the center (about 50.000 inhabitants) you will find the legacy of the French in the form of colorful houses with shutters and balconies.
Kampot – Cambodia (David Bokuchava / Shutterstock.com)
In the center you can relax by the river with a number of nice food and beverage outlets. Strangely enough, at least for me, many restaurants also have pizza and Mexican dishes on the menu. What past does Cambodia have with Italy or Mexico? Forget it because in the Netherlands and Belgium you will also stumble across many restaurants from 'foreign' countries. I myself prefer to taste the local Khmer dishes here and I must admit that I have not been disappointed. Food and drinks are not expensive and during happy hours you only pay 50 cents for a beer. This time indulge in tasty cocktails that are popular in Kampot.
From Phnom Penh you can take a bus to Kampot. Depending on the company concerned, you pay 3 dollars for the approximately 10½ hour ride.
Trips
Everywhere in Kampot you can rent a scooter or use the services of a tuk tuk that also costs you a lot. Visit a pepper plantation and see the pepper turn from red to white and black. If I am to believe it, Kampot pepper is world famous and is held in high esteem at the top of the Culinary French Guild.
Photo: Joseph Boy
Another trip leads to the nearby Bokor National Park. It is a ride that you can take yourself by scooter or simply rent a tuk tuk for that.
If you have your own transport, drive over the bridge to the other side of the river and then turn left. Just keep driving and you will reach the rice fields in a rural area. Have a chat with the very amiable people and shoot some nice pictures. Or enjoy a boat trip on the river in the evening and enjoy the beautiful view at sunset in a completely different way with a drink within reach. Your eyes look out on the large market in the center.
At 20 kilometers from Kampot, the town of Kep is known for its crab. Of course you will find a number of restaurants at the crab market where you can enjoy it extensively, at least if you are a lover.
Photo: Joseph Boy
Accommodation
There are more than enough hotels in the center or outside. I myself preferred Villa Vedici, a beautiful resort located on the river, 3 kilometers outside the center with a great view over the river and the hills behind. (www.villavedici.com) Overall a great place to spend some days.
Looks attractive Joseph. I myself also occasionally go to one of the surrounding countries and maybe next time to Kampot.
In a recent article by CNN Travel, Kampot is included in a list of “13 of Asia's most picturesque towns.” The list:
Hoi An, Viet Nam
Yufuin, Japan
George Town Malaysia
Vigan, Philippines
Luang Prabang, Laos
Kampot, Cambodia
Kota Gede, Indonesia
Galle, Sri Lanka
Zhouzhang, China
Mawlynnong, India
Ghandruk, Nepal
Sai Kung, Hong Kong
Phuket, thailand
Yes Joseph thanks for this story,
You told about it yesterday. When I am in Cambodia in November I will go to Kep and Kampot.
We'll definitely see each other again.
regards
Peer
Joseph, I agree with you 100%, and if I may add the following:
– Kep does have a nice beach and you can go to Rabbit Island from there, a very small but nice island to do.
– Known for “crab” is true, but that's it… we Europeans think differently when we talk about crab.
– Forget about Sihanoukville, which used to be the hot spot for Russian pedophiles and is now a Chinese city.
– I have absolutely no idea what the guidelines are for purchasing a property, but if this is possible in my own name (other rules than in Thailand) and I have the money for it then I would buy one of the countless available villas in Buy Kep .. in the long term this will become a "mundane" place in Cambodia, read a bit "Azuren coast-like" (don't forget, not so long ago "Indochine") ..
– and for those who don't know “they drive on the right”.
Thanks again Joseph for bringing these places to light, although this blog is focused on Thailand, and especially Kampot with those beautiful houses, the river … den al …
Sihanoukville or Kampong Son, mentioned in your article, is better to stay away from. Totally taken over by the Chinese for a number of years. Filled with casinos with imports also from the Chinese mafia. The original population chased away, houses demolished for hotels, too expensive to live there. Now a ghost town as the Chinese are now staying away and things are slowly decaying.
The Prime Minister, who has been sitting there for a long time, will be concerned about this. He, an old Pol Pot commander, has his pockets well filled. Hopefully (false hope?) things will collapse further there and a piece of history could come back.
wonderful story but I would like to know if Cambodia is safe for foreign tourists, hear so many rumors, that it is not safe?,
Dear, I have already been to Cambodia about 5 times, the first time by plane to Siem Reap, then it was not really safe yet and they only started with restaurants and decent, then a dirt road. The second time over land, not a single bridge, crossing with a "ferry" ... now there are bridges and everything has changed a lot, I never felt unsafe there, but of course you have to be a little careful everywhere. Kampot, Bokor and Kep are well worth a visit.
Cambodia is no less safe than Thailand and have visited the country many times and never experienced anything bad. My last trip - just before the corona outbreak - was from Pattaya by public transport to the border town of Aranya Prathet with its intensely large market. Cross the border and take a taxi for a very reasonable price to Siem Reap with the famous Ankor Wat temple complex. Then went by public transport to the second place of the country Battambang. Then to the capital Phnom Penh and then to Kampot. Simple all on his own as an 85-year-old still vital guy at the time. Wonderful trip!
ls,
was 26 years ago for the first time in Cambodia . .with the current Prime Minister Hun Sen, the 1st Don Bosco school opened in Phnom Penh (Hun Sen) was then Deputy Speaker of Parliament . .son of the then king of nr. 1. In Phon Penh I remember, only 1 flight Bangkok vv and there were only about 20 cars . .look now..
5 years Year in Kep/Kompot started with a school that I sponsored: the Don Bosco HATRANS – School.
First about 30 students, girls, a kind of domestic school. the school continues to expand. .now about 350 students who learn a modern profession. .Beautiful buildings/classes right on the sea. .have a sports field with cinder track, (homemade) grandstand, field lighting. Prime Minister Hun sen paid a surprise visit 2 years ago. .School now the most beautiful in the province . . so when visiting Kep; WELCOME