Here is my second destination in Cambodia. Last time I did Mondolkiri, Rattanakiri and Kratie. Before I spend most of my holidays just traveling to abroad, I have forgotten about my country also has the beautiful landmarks, sightseeing and super natural places. There is saying the world is an amazing place to discover, wherever you go just go with your heart. I am just thinking why I don’t spend sometimes to see my wonderful country when there are tons of people flight over to visit here. Thus, Cambodia is my entire bucket list this year.
Kep is one small city in southern of Cambodia, about 2 hours’ drive from Phnom Penh. There are many ways to get there, by bus , taxi, VIP van……………… the route is pass by Kampong Trach-Kep-Kampot. I stopped at Kep some people they are straight to Kampot. There is the choice whatever you want to go to Kampot first then back to Kep, or you want to stop at Kep first. The distance between Kep to Kampot is 30Km about 30 minutes on motorbike. I stayed at the hostel located just in front of the beach, where I got up with the beach view, was recommended by one lady that we were on the same bus. The hilarious thing she is the owner of that hostel, but she didn’t tell me. Well, I don’t really care about that just having the place to stay and comfortable, then that’s it for me. Early morning I went to the crab market to see what’s going on with their business, it was pretty quiet from my hostel to the crab market, there was no people on the street only me walking.
But the weather was pretty good and seems like I am the only one on the road, may be it was too early thought. I had tried grilled octopus with spicy sauce. Well, I used to try it in my hometown Sihanoukville, but the taste was so difference. Before Sihanouville is the best place to have seafood, now people are too craving to make money so they are no longer caring about the quality and business ethic anymore, they put something that can keep seafood fresh for long time, but there is no taste at all. The seafood we have is just the seafood; it has lost the original taste. So if you want to have the fresh and tasty seafood then go to Kep, sometimes it’s really expensive when the holidays comes or high season,1Kg of crab is about 10-15USD and on the regular days is about 5-7USD. For shrimp is 7-10USD by the way people is going to Kep for crab is one of the main reason. I was sitting there seeing local and tourist moving, bargaining and selling the seafood. There are not many activities to do there, just swimming and having seafood that’s all. Second time visiting Kep I went there with some of friends, we had our personal car with. We were staying at the Dara bungalow is a bit far from town but so relaxing, one of my friend she owns that bungalow so we got free stay, much appreciated and thankful to Volin. She treated us so amazing offering free stay also food and wine. We had food, beer, wine, fresh seafood, bbq, and end up with drunk MJ as always. We were talking and sharing the stories, it was unforgettable moments ever. Some of us wanted to do the kayaking from Kep to the island, it is pretty far by kayaking, and I was the one who said No, that’s no way for me to be on the kayaking in the big sea, I am not the good swimmer. So we were discussing who gonna stay in mainland and who gonna do kayaking, I said I would stay in mainland you guys enjoy, then one of my friends she convinced me, no one is the good swimmer here, but we had life jacket with, what were you scaring for? Anyway we were on the same board we would take care each other. Suddenly, I decided well, I will be with you guys, what I was thinking at that time [When other people can do it, I believe that I can too] nothing is impossible everything is possible; you never try it you never know how strong you are. After having the breakfast we were straight to Kayaking place. We had 6 people so we rented 3 kayaks, two people on one kayak.
As I remembered was about 4USD per hour, I couldn’t notice well how to get there, but you can ask the local people where to do the kayaking. We were so lucky at that time, there was no windy, the wave was quite steady that we could make our kayaking balancing. The first impression when i saw the big sea with the very small kayak, oh no it was unsafe way to do it. My friends said no worry be happy there was no windy so it would be okay and very safe with life jacket, just take it easy and go with the flow haha…………… We had the great time with kayaking crossing the big sea, it was the amazing thing I have done ever. We paddled, took some break and enjoy the incredible views; we were paddling and singing at the same, it was so much fun and memorable. I will be regret if I gave up the chance to do this kayaking, but finally, I did it. I had done kayaking in Philippine and Laos but it was not the big risk and fantastic like what I did in Kep-Cambodia. My second trip to Kep is the amazing trip ever with my good friends. Thanks to all my dear who keep motivates and push me up to do what I do afraid of. Stay tune I will keep you update of my traveling to Kep again for my next trip to find out something new to do there [Rabbit island and pepper farm]
