Shianoukville and Kampot

Long time no news, yes I know I am a slacker, but this 'holiday' is really eating into my spare time!! hehe

Let's take a look back a few weeks, to the end of our journeys in Cambodia.

Once leaving Seam Reap, crazy bus drivers prevailed.... I am sooo surprised we are still here to tell the tales, and now understand why night buses are 'not a cambodian thing'. I dont really fancy living through the nightmare again, so let me just elude to about 100 near miss head on collisions.... back in Phnom Penh, and a quick moto ride to another bus station - this time headed south to Shianoukville, a seaside town. The accommodation was directly opposite Ochieteaul(?) Beach, and a crazy strip of beach front 'bars', providing beach lounges, pool tables and food and beverages. Oh, and the 'happy' stuff that seemed to be in no short supply, and frequently offered to, and refused by, Paul. Shianoukville was a good chance to relax on the beach, and score a Vietnamese VISA in no more than 7 minutes....yes, so much for the 2-3 day express service. Just rock up there yourself and fill the application form, and away you go, VISA and passport in hand.

The day we left it was pouring, but fortunately we had hired a taxi and found two Spanish girls only minuted before departure to share with us... US$20 for the 4 of us to share to Kampot. (**Note: Kampot is where the world renowned Black Pepper is grown)
The journey was pretty good, although mostly along a dirt road being upgraded to a highway. once arriving in kampot we checked into a Guest House complete with cable tv, 2 beds, etc etc, and ate lunch before opting to go with the taxi driver to a nearby river complete with rapids. The afternoon was heaps of fun, with Paul being a rapid riding star accompanying local kids down time after time. I tried a few times, but forgot to swim to the edge after the first time, and ended up going flying down the river and having to swim all the way back! Afterwards we went to a local house and drank sugarcane beer (yuk...maybe nicer if chilled??) and ate meatballs as we waited for the sun to set behind a mountain. Its was a great setting, however storm clouds hovered and the sunset ended up being obscurred.

The next day we drove to kep, an old abandoned French seaside town, where we caught a long boat with the Spanish girls to Rabbit Island. Nice, different, and relaxing, but not the nicest island we've been to. Lots of rubbish on the beach, and not much sand! It was very quiet and few people, which was great. The afternoon trip back saw us racing the storm clouds, but luckily the rain held off. We saw so many fishing boats with little bits of material as sails, it was an amazing sight!

Sunday 7th May was a rest day before hitting Viet Nam. While brunching down by the river we met some nice English travellers who made us very enthusiastic about travelling to China, so yet something else to look forward to! thanks guys! :)