Moliden Kampot

... br><br>Today, we joined a group of about 12 other people from around the world on a hike up to Bokor Station, on the highest peak of the national park by the same name. The french built a grandiose resort/casino on the summit (3540ft) in the 1920s, but it was abandoned in the 40s... the tour promised amazing views of Kampot province and the chance to explore this old structure. You used to be able to drive up the whole way, but the ...

... even though all the equipment from his dirt biking glory years sits in a heap in our basement at home. As I donned my noggin protector, I threatened Danny--told him the consequences of an accident would be dire should I survive. (In reality, the speeds travelled in Cambodia rarely exceed 50 km/hr due to the car swallowing potholes so the risk of imminent death is actually quite low.)<br> <br>So we scooted out of Kampot and into the rice paddies of the ...

... to leave out the side effects (headache, and meaty taste in the back of your mouth). Yes, Danny tried some of this cliche SE Asian drink, and can't wait to inflict some on everyone on our return.<br><br>The bus ride was bone jarring (no functioning suspensions south of the capital), though the musical accompaniment of Cambodian country music helped our aches. Country is country, with subtle translations:<br>Wheat = Rice<br>Whisky = Snake ...

... banana and chocolate pancakes ever!!! Not only were they absolutely mouth-watering (the pancakes were really fluffy, you got tones of bananas and the chocolate sauce was like you get back home) but they left you absolutely stuffed until about 4pm!<br><br>We hired a moped and went to explore Phnom Chhnork and Phnom Sorsia; they are hills near Kampot which have caves and temples in/on them. We found Phnom Chhnork quite easily but not the staircase up it! The ...

... com/ Am going to get to feed an elephant (that's another thing on my 'list') I particularly like the warnings on their booking page; 'elephants will put dirt and snot on you'....<br><br>Righty-ho, off for a curry, then the quiz...<br><br>Speak to you soon!<br>Love Karen x<br><br>PS. took my very first tuk-tuk ride yesterday. Great fun! (as long as you hold on, so you don't get thrown out :)

We got up early and headed to the bus station to catch our 7:30 bus to Kampot. The road was quite bumpy&#8212;astonishingly so, in places&#8212;but we finally arrived in one piece at around 11:30. We were greeted by a surprisingly large group of touts at the bus station. After sipping on some Fantas in the adjoining restaurant, we agreed to let a tout give us a ride to a guesthouse right on the river.<br><br>Lunch was bread ...

... last night, not a big deal since I have my fortress (mosquito net) tucked under the mattress but it's unsettling nonetheless. Mother had spread a mat on the ground and laid out the ingredients for the nom onsom: Rice mixed with coconut and salt, a large bowl of thinly sliced pig fat, pre-soaked yellow beans, and a large stack of banana leaves. Kind of reminded me of rolling sushi though it was mashed down into the funnel of the banana leaves with a stick then wrapped ...

... toads, mice, etc.) but they actually don't bother me that much anymore, spiders are actually a good thing here since they eat the mosquitos...at least that's what I tell myself. I have a bucket shower every morning and then eat breakfast which either my mother cooks for me or I buy at the market. It usually consists of fried duck egg with chili sauce or banchaioo (ginger pancakes filled with fried pork, my favorite). I then walk across the street to one of ...

... must have been". Our first night was in luxury compared to what we had been used to and we all agreed that extending for the duration of our stay in Kep would be ideal. Sadly this was not to be as they were booked out over the next couple of days (it was a weekend which is when all the American expats living in PP seem to invade Kep) which left us with a dilemma of finding somewhere else to stay. Not deterred Boorman and Hull made some enquires and hired 2 scooters... I ...

... post any CDs and DVDs back here to the UK, so it doesn't much matter now.<br>We got our seats, but the bus was a bit decrepit, so it wasn't long out of the city's confines that I heard a blow and a big hiss like a pistol shot. One of the rear tires had blown its gaskets not far below from where I was seated. Reading Paul Theroux's Dark Star Safari in which he experienced a similar situation, brought it to mind. We waited a good hour or two before things got ...