Kampot

Kampot is a welcome change after living in cities for the first two weeks of our stay in the East. This sleepy town was once Cambodia's major sea port until a deep water port was constructed west of here in Sihanoukville. It remains the provincial capital and seems to be populated in equal parts by provincial bureaucrats and fisherfolk. The Kampong Bay river dividers the town and a lovely stone (concrete) boardwalk lines the river the length of town. The river, to us, was unusual in that one could see to the bottom in two feet of water - in looked sort of.....clean, the first time we have seen a river in such a state on this trip. So clean in fact that Kim and I spent a couple hours yesterday plying the river north of town in a tandem kayak and we're not overly concerned should we fall in.

The big deals in Kampot are salt (from the sea), pepper (huge plantations locally growing "Kampot" pepper), crab (the famous local dish is crab in a Kampot pepper sauce and is delish) and government. The folks we have met have been really welcoming and open. Every child on the streets wants to practice their English and so calls out, "Hello!", several times as we walk by. Great rooms at the Mia Culpa for little money and we sure have eaten well since we arrived.

Now awaiting our mini van to Kep. I might poop my pants before in get in the van so I don't have to worry about it while in transit.