Kampot

Kampot was a whirlwind! We only stayed two days here, but it was filled with so many interesting and unique things to do - starting with the abandoned buildings! Up in the hills, there are so many crumbling French colonial buildings that have been left to go to ruin. They're both fascinating and eerie to walk around and definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.

Then there's the world-class pepper farms! You'll see and hear about Kampot pepper if you visit, and trust me when I say it is worth checking out these farms - the pepper is DELICIOUS. Something about the minerals in the soil combined with the perfect temperature and climate makes the pepper in Kampot super flavourful and delicious.

Things to Do:

- Visit a Kampot Pepper Farm: Widely considered the best pepper in the world by gourmet chefs, you can tour farms, learn how the spice grows and enjoy a tasting of the red, green, white, and black varieties.

- Explore Bokor National Park: Take a scooter or taxi up the winding mountain road to the abandoned French hill station. It’s home to a spooky-yet-beautiful "ghost" church and a massive casino, often shrouded in a thick, cinematic mountain mist.

- The Salt Fields: On the outskirts of town, huge fields are flooded with seawater that evaporates to leave shimmering salt crystals. If you go at sunrise, the reflection of the workers in the water creates a stunning "mirror" effect. Just make sure you go in the right season!

- Climb the Caves of Phnom Chhngok: Visit this ancient Hindu cave temple hidden inside a limestone karst. It houses a remarkably well-preserved 7th-century brick temple dedicated to Shiva, tucked away from the tropical heat.

- Sunset at the "Fish Market": Grab a drink at the beautifully restored old Fish Market building. It sits right on the water’s edge and offers the best view of the sun dipping behind the Elephant Mountains.