The Phnom Penh Visitors Guide 62nd

Kampot & Kep

River Cruise Running through the town with the Elephant mountains as a backdrop the Kampong Bay river is a prominent feature of Kampot. For many locals the river is their lifeblood and dozens of fishing boats travel up and down the river in the morning and evenings. Any trip to Kampot wouldn’t be complete without experiencing it from the water. Several operators offer various trips and prices start from a few dollars per person depending on duration and other inclusions. Chakio Tourism Boat Daily sunset cruise from 5.30pm – 7.30pm, $5.00 per person with one included drink. Restaurant and bar serving Asian & Western food. Go swimming, visit Prek Chak, see fireflies. Private bookings available. Kampot Riverside Road Tel: 010-987619 Nibi Spa Experience a wide range of relaxing spa treatments just upriver from Kampot’s town center. Nibi Spa provides a combination of spa treatments; massages, manicures, pedicures a dry sauna and cold plunge. Boat ferry and private boat tour available with reservations made ahead of time. From the turn of the century through the 1960s Kep was Cambodia’s premier beach town, drawing holiday-makers to its breezy shores and nearby Bokor Hill Station. Back in the day luxurious villas of the privileged class dotted the seaside. few still remain, now ruined vestiges of an earlier era. These days Kep is known more for its ocean front 'Crab Market,' excellent seafood dining and relaxed tropical atmosphere. A single short but pic turesque sliver of sand, Kep Beach, sits at the south ern tip of the peninsula where several guesthouses and restaurants are clustered. Though there are now dozens of hotels, guesthouses and even luxury resorts across the area, Kep still has a rustic getaway feel to it - jungled mountains, a quiet beach and oceanside crab shacks. Kep is a place to relax and dine by the seaside and use as a base to visit Rabbit Island (Koh Tunsay,) to explore the national park, see the nearby caves and rural countryside. Accommodation in Kep Kep is something of a budding resort area aiming at mid/ upper-range, and accommodations tend to be bit more expensive than other coastal towns. Still, there are plenty of budget priced rooms available, and a growing number of backpacker places, especially in and around Kep town. Massage, Spa Uni Cat Café Come and spend time with our adorable rescue cats from the Pagodas! Enjoy their furry company in a quiet and friendly environment to play, feed and provide much needed affection. We also serve snacks, sweets and delicious coffee, tea and a wide variety of shakes. If you just enjoy our cats company without purchase, we will charge a small fee of 2$ per 15 min to cover the costs for providing our furry friends a friendly environment. Tuek Chou road, New Kampot Circle, Kampot Tel: 097-7640140, 081-258018

Dining & Drinking Kampot’s culinary scene is quickly expanding, both in number and variety. There is now a choice of good dining in Kampot well worth exploring. Most of the restaurants and bars can be found clustered into a few blocks along the picturesque riverfront road and Old French Quarter, especially near and around Phsar Kronat. Hotel Old Cinema Beautifully renovated 1930’s theatre converted to a one- of-a-kind hotel. Spacious rooms with incredible attention to detail. Centrally located with a restaurant, full bar, and swimming pool inside the hotel atrium. Highly Salty River Resort $35 - $45 One of the better upriver places. Right at the river’s edge a/c rooms and bungalows with all the standard amenities. Balcony restaurant hovering over the river offering good Cambodian food and a very nice breeze. Parking area. Family friendly. Tel: 017-665959, 010-494888 vathanak.kheok@gmail.com The Magic Sponge Extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu featuring large portions of everything! Try our Eggs Benedict and huge sandwiches, baguette pizzas, Indian specialties and western mains. 65" and 2.4m sports/movies TVs. Full bar, frozen mugs of beer, Cambodia’s largest single malt scotch collection, two happy hours. 6:15AM – 9:00PM. Tel: 017-946428 Twenty Three Bistro Just a few meters from the riverfront, and serving savory dishes European inspired dishes made with locally sourced produce. Along with craft beers, hand selected wines and cocktails this bistro doubles as a hip place for after-dinner drinks. Tel: 088- 6079731 recommended. Tel: 095- 814621 Email: oldcinemahotel@gmail.com The Neon Tigress Inn Clean and comfortable guest house with a funky vibe. Fast WiFi, comfortable beds, and great location in the heart of Kampot make this GH recommended by our editing staff. Mea Culpa Guesthouse $20 - $30 Villa style guesthouse in garden setting, located in the pleasantly quiet south end of the Old Quarter. Clean, furnished nicely decorated fan and a/c rooms with cable TV, DVD player and en suite bathroom with hot water. Balcony. Complimentary tea and coffee. Free WiFi. Friendly, reliable staff. Patio restaurant serving Khmer and international fare and one of the best pizzas in town. Consistently excellent reviews. Tel: 012-504769 www.meaculpakampot.com

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