Kampot (Cambodia)

After a few days on Koh Rong Island, we continued our journey on the mainland. We went to Kampot, a place in the southeast of Cambodia.

The first impression was promising. The streets were not crowded with cars and motorcycles, and overall, this town had an incredible tranquility.

Kampot is mainly known for its pepper farms and salt fields. We took a day trip on a scooter to visit at least part of it. Indeed, there were many salt fields on both sides. However, we didn't find out much about them as there were no tours or anything similar. It was different with the pepper farms. After a wonderful lunch with Lok Lak (a traditional Khmer dish consisting of rice, a fried egg, beef, and an incredibly tasty pepper sauce), we had a small tour of the pepper farm.

Did you know that different types of pepper can come from the same plant? They are green at first, some pick them at that stage, while others let the grains hang until they turn red. Afterward, both types of grains are dried. The green ones turn black, and with the red ones, the top layer is removed to reveal the white peppercorn. And so, from one peppercorn, four different types can be made.

Another highlight was stand-up paddleboarding on the river. We drove to the Mekong River on our scooter and were able to rent a SUP board at a guesthouse. Together, we paddled from the main river to a tributary when suddenly, a heavy rain surprised us. Since there was no accompanying thunderstorm, it was the perfect way to cool down.

Another highlight was the trip and visit to Bokor Hill National Park. We rode over 20km, navigating through many curves, to reach the peak of the mountain. It was an interesting experience, especially when riding with two people on one scooter and encountering tight curves or being overtaken in a curve. However, the journey was worth it. In addition to a casino and church ruins, there were other ruins to explore. Besides the breathtaking view and misty atmosphere everywhere, there was a 5-star hotel and a casino right in the middle of the national park. I find it quite sad that nature had to be destroyed for that.

Kampot is a place that strongly reminds me of the architecture in Penang, Malaysia. We both enjoyed our time there before heading to the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam.