Cambodia 2015

Wednesday18November

We continue our itinerary along the Cambodian coast. A mini-van takes us to Kampot, a port city located at the mouth of the Preaek Tuek Chhu river.

Just in time for the sunset...

A local curiosity. Fireflies come to light up the trees bordering the river a few kilometers away. So we embark on a boat that takes us to the said place. But alas, a boat was already there with a noisy party on board, thus permanently extinguishing our firefly friends... We will still be treated to a few discreet illuminations... mockery.gif

End of the day around a traditional loc-lac (beef in sauce + rice + fried egg).

Thursday19November

As in Battambang, we let ourselves be taken by tuk-tuk to visit the region.

We start with the Phnom Chhnork cave where you have to pass a balance test...

The cave is hidden in this small mountain.

It's not through this entrance that one enters the cave. You first have to climb a little higher.

The view from the mountain.

After the short climb, the short descent towards the cave entrance.

In the first few meters, a 7th-century temple delicately placed between the stalactites.

The tiny interior of the small temple.

We then follow a local young man who takes us deeper into the cave through small galleries where you have to contort yourself slightly... hot.gif And of course, avoiding the bats... chuckle.gif

The exit of the cave, presumably without bats in the hair. surprised.gif

Back to the tuk-tuk.

Our driver wears the helmet. Not us... doubt.gif

A short stop in front of the "secret lake". I don't know what's so secret about it...

Maybe these young students know it???

Our driver is still thinking about it...

If we turn around, no additional clue but it's very pretty.  

We then visit a pepper plantation. Pepper is to this region what wine is to our country.

World-renowned, Kampot pepper almost disappeared following the systematic destruction of fields by the Khmer Rouge in the 70s.

The plants grow around red brick columns.

And scented with zebu dung. wink.gif

We take the tuk-tuk again to reach the city of Kep.

After Kampot pepper, here's Kep crab! The city has made it its specialty. Not a single tourist leaves without having eaten their poor crustacean!... And to eat it, it starts with its capture. The animal is fished off the coast, then brought here and kept in these bamboo cages.

The various stilt restaurants overlook the ocean directly.

We sacrifice ourselves to custom and perform our task...  
Don't be fooled by its post-cooking color, these are blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus.

Kep crab market, but not only, seafood is also part of it...

Here we are at the northern end of the market where most sales happen directly with restaurateurs or consumers. We arrive after the battle...

As its common name indicates, Callinectes sapidus is indeed blue!

At the end of the pier, the statue of the ancient King Rama with his bow and arrows.

We pass through the covered market again, then take the tuk-tuk to go past the old villas from the French era.

These villas, or what remains of them, are the sad result of the Khmer Rouge methods during the dictatorship. The rich residences representing the image of intellectuals were destroyed. As the Khmer Rouge only left the region 20 years ago, the abandoned houses have remained as they were.

The neighborhood is almost deserted but not entirely. Given this enormous pig, life is good here!  

Back to the fold, in the city of Kampot.

The fruit roundabout, including durian...

It's a party here. It's a wedding in Kampot! The entire street has been closed because a tent is set up to receive the wedding guests!

In the next street, under the spotlights, the bride and groom themselves are in the middle of the ceremony under the gaze of the family and also passers-by...

A swarm of photographers are busy around the newlyweds, while monks descend from the stage with gifts...

The newlyweds.

Not being invited to the meal, we're going to feast on a meat and vegetable pierrade in this warm restaurant.

An hour later, we pass by the wedding party which is still at the same point.   The photographers never stop adjusting the slightest false folds of the bridesmaids (unless it's the old aunt from the next province?)...  

The musicians and the master of ceremony.

The bride dressed all in red.

Apparently, there won't be a ball... So we're going to bed because tomorrow we're leaving the south of Cambodia to finish our loop and reach the capital Phnom Penh.