Well,
Leaving the Island sucked and especially on a super hot day 38 C.... phew, the ferry ride was fun but then the mini LUXURY van was built for: you probably guessed, small people......:)
The Van was packed to the roof with Luggage and Travellers like me. At first, the highway was ok, occasional pot holes, but 1 hour into it, the highway turned into a pot hole heaven and the tar disappeared and it was a dirt road for approx. 30 km top speed 10 k at most, wow, that was a first and we are all got tumblers like crazy. The Van broke down and I got lucky to switch to another (same company) van and did arrive in Kampot in one well shaken piece:)
So there are some pictures of the river and the Town of Kampot, the famous Kampot pepper ( Farm) and the trip on the Royal Cambodian Railway.
Here we go:
Ferry from Koh rong to Shianouk
It was actually not overcrowded, nice surprise.
Kampot on the river, lovely city, lots of French colonial influence and way to many expats:)
A Swiss / French restaurant serving RÖSTI and steak, crazy, my first steak on this trip, I must say, it was tasty and the Cambodian family (trained by a Swiss and French Chef ) did an excellent job.
Auberge de Soleil, Kampot.
Visit to the Pepper Farm, who would have known, the pepper they grow here is world class and I fell in love with some of the dishes they use the pepper for. (Lok Lak, a traditional Khmer beef dish)
My travel buddy, real enthusiastic and full of energy visiting the Pepper Farm:)
Some Scenery on the ride there
Also visited Key, a small town by the sea just close by Kampot.
Dinner in Kampot and Shanaka, a travel buddy from Koh rong showed up, let the party begin.....
The rooftop bar KAPAL, great place, great food, cold beers and lots of fun.
And don't forget the Snack of choice: Snails:)
Funny thing Brewers are doing here. The "pull up the can taps" to refill if you win something is a permanent promo, I have pulled a lot of free Can but never cash, that night, I pulled $5 bucks, wow, felt like a Hughe win all around guest and staff clapping:)
Next day, The Royal Cambodian Railway trip to Phnom Penh.
The Train:
Nothing to look at, yes, that's it, departure: 4 pm, actual arrival for departure 6:05 pm
They did run out of Diesel on the way to our station in Kampot, just in case they topped it up Cambodia style.
Finally on our way, they turned on the AC, our part of the the train was like a freezer, were the other side was boiling hot......Conductor sleeping, Up and down, side to side, a shake 4 hour ride to Phnom Penh, A bit of a stretch but well worth the experience of a lifetime. I probably give them one more chance over taking a bus, we see.....
That was an adventure alright. I planed to see some of the scenery but with the 2 hour delay, it got dark @6:15, so no more pictures.
I am spending 3 days in Phnom Penh and will return to Vietnam on Tuesday, until then,
Cia for now.
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