Kampot it is

  Ahhh, Kampot. Renown for its gourmet pepper worldwide. So far, it's also my most memorable place from this trip, and that ranks high considering some of the places we've been. But it wasn't just about the surroundings; it was all about the vibe, man. On the road for four months, we felt as comfortable as at home. No worries, no rush, no hassles or inquiries, no must-dos. Hard life, you say, on an extended vacation, but you'd be surprised how some things wear you out. We came for four days and stayed for almost a week, reluctant to leave a day at a time.

  By pure coincidence, we found the perfect oasis at Naga, located right on the Kampot River. We set up house in a simple but adorable hut on stilts. The cafe by the river, with hammocks and comfy wicker chairs, ended in a jump platform into the river, ideal for swimming or tubing. Quiet, relatively secluded in a lush jungle-like setting but with amazing food nearby and some great people for company (shoutout to SH Barracudas aka Screaming Pandas Vespa Club, Cambodia Chapter!), it provided a balanced vibe of relaxation and energy. Just that cheesy club idea but especially its name hints at the amount of fun we had.

  The balmy weather encouraged lazy afternoons of books and socializing as well as long evenings of discussions of alternative lifestyles and Jim Beam. On more active days, along with Vanessa, Ryan and Nick from Oregon, we wandered throughout the rural countryside. A trip to the top of the mountain at Bokor National Park led us to an abandoned French hill station, where remnants of the old settlement still exist. As the location provides a great view of the Gulf of Thailand, new developments, such as the fancy casino, started to encroach on the prime spots. We visited a nearby waterfall, more of a ravine at this dry time of the year. Another day, a dusty road, and I mean the kind of dusty that left a fine film of sweat and red earth on you, pointed us towards Kep, an old coastal town. With a little imagination, you could easily recreate the feel of the town during its French colonial days. Its bustling crab market served all kinds of fresh seafood, and we didn't fail to gorge on it. Convenient seaside hammock huts provided an opportunity for an afternoon siesta. We also had a chance to visit some of the more remote establishments in unbelievably atmospheric settings, usually to satisfy our culinary appetites or visit the famous pepper farms. The drives back through the small villages, mostly at sunset, were the metaphorical cherry on top.

Hill station church

Pepper farm

Kep crab

Ninja Ryan

Seaside hammocks

Room with a view

  After hearty goodbyes, we left for the coastal town of Sihanoukville. For three days, we chilled on the beach or by our mushroom-like hut, complete with a convenient hammock veranda. The stay ended on a somewhat sour note, as we learned that due to miscommunication (with a Slovenian nonetheless!), we paid three times more than we expected for accommodation. Another lesson learned. Off to Phnom Penh for some shopping at the expansive markets. Some of our clothes are simply gnarly, as our Oregon friends would say :)