Tranquility and Peace Amongst Nature in Kampot
Kampot is both culturally thriving and the perfect place to laze around in a hammock all day. Can you do both of those things in one day and still enjoy everything this beautiful town in Cambodia has to offer? Yes, it’s possible. And while we’re at it, why not give back to the community a little while savoring the best of Kampot — you can do all of these things in even a short visit.
Breakfast
Epic Arts Cafe
Make sure to pay a visit to the Epic Arts Cafe.
Epic Arts are a UK based organisation that set up the cafe in 2006 to provide the local deaf and disabled population with employment opportunities. The staff are either hard of hearing or deaf, but you can communicate with them using the learn-signing cards under the table, if you wish.
The breakfast menu here is simple, but delicious nonetheless. The banana and coconut pancakes are a popular choice among the international visitors. The cafe’s profits are put back into the Epic Arts organisation and the cafe itself, so don’t hold back.
1st May Road
Morning Activity
Kampot Salt Fields
Travel out of town to Kampot province’s stunning countryside and visit the salt fields and pepper plantations that the area is famous for.
Get in contact with a tuk-tuk driver who doesn’t mind doubling up as a tour guide—most have a good grasp of English and are enthusiastic about teaching something to the visitors—and agree on a price for a return trip.
Cambodia’s salt comes primarily from Kampot and its surrounding provinces, so the scale of the industry here is huge.
Learn about the salt fields which cover the land all the way to Sihanoukville, and about the processes involved in extracting the salt and storing it. If you’re lucky, you might be granted access to the large sheds which store the mountains of salt before transportation.
The pepper plantations should be your next stop. Learn about the picking and drying of the pepper, how they produce different coloured pepper, and about where they send it after the farm. You can also sample the different types of peppers, but make sure you have some drinking water close by – the taste can be mind-blowing if you’re not used to it.
Lunch
Heng Leap Bistro
A must visit restaurant if you want to sample the best in local Khmer dishes is Heng Leap Bistro Restaurant near the Saltworkers’ Circle roundabout. The quality of the food here is outstanding, while the prices remain lower than most of its surrounding guesthouse competition.
For lunch, try the lok lak (beef) or Char Kroeung (you won’t be disappointed). Iced tea is common in Cambodia’s sweltering climate, but order the Khmer iced tea at Heng Leap for something a bit different—it’s essentially an iced tea with a slight twist (and a hell of a lot of sugar).
All the staff at this small, family-run establishment are friendly and conversational and seem to take pride in their work. Jack, the owner, makes a point of getting to know his customers and adds to the appeal of this charming little restaurant.
This is not the only option while visiting Cambodia. Check out more recommendations at Trip Tipping.
Afternoon Activity
Seeing Massage
Another activity you can enjoy knowing you are helping some of the most vulnerable members of the local community, is the Seeing Massage.
The masseuses are all blind, but highly skilled. They feel their way around your body and seem to know exactly where they are and what to do; their ability is such that you can sometimes forget the nature of their serious disabilities.
Afterwards, book a ticket for the Sunset River Cruise. The boat usually leaves the town at around 4pm and returns at 6pm. The cruise meanders up the river, through green, mountainous surroundings, and is a perfect opportunity to take some great photos.
Riverside Road
Dinner
Rusty Keyhole
Perhaps the most popular dinner time restaurant in Kampot is Rusty Keyhole on the river front strip. This establishment boasts some of the best Western food in the city, at affordable prices. Get there early to avoid the queues, and also so you can order Rusty’s Ribs (the restaurant’s specialty). Otherwise, try the mixed grill – huge portions of chicken, steak, eggs, chips, sausages.
This is the place to be if you enjoy watching sport with an atmosphere, or just socialising with other tourists. The staff are all welcoming and happy to have you there.
River side Road
Evening Activity
Ecran Movie House
Rent a private room at the Ecran Movie House and watch a film of your choice. Choose your movie at the front desk, plus any refreshments you would like, then relax on the cushioned platform in the sound-proofed movie room, and enjoy the film on a 51″ plasma screen.
It’s a nice idea, and cheap at $3.50 each per person (minimum two people to rent the room). Just make sure the film has good picture and sound quality—some of them are questionable.
More day-trip recommendations around the world await you at Trip Tipping — check them out today.
