Cambodia: Kep & Rabbit Island
21 Feb Cambodia: Kep & Rabbit Island
Kep is the small town 15 minutes east of Kampot. Known for its blue crab that can be eaten in all sorts of sauces, it also has a seaside market that you should not miss. At the time of colonization, the French had made it their HQ for the holidays, that's why there are nowadays old colonial houses on the heights which are nowadays abandoned or inhabited by monkeys! (see urbex lovers). Kep is also the starting point for the island of Rabbit.
Together with our friend Pierre we organised a two-day excursion. We left Kampot early on a scooter to get the first boat that left for the island. We took a small bungalow on the beach for the night, we gleaned, and the next day we went back to Kep to see the crab market and eat there. Then, thinking of it full, we went back to Kampot...
Going to Rabbit Island in Cambodia
No, there are no rabbits on this island, sorry to disappoint you! I heard the island has a rabbit shape from above. Personally I don't see too much, but to that it doesn't matter...
This small island in the golf of Thailand, is ideal for idleness, there is a beach with sun loungers, hammocks, small bouiboui to eat and bungalows all similar and very summary for 7 dollars a night. We can spend the day or the night, if you have time it can be cool to spend the night there would only be for the intimate atmosphere of the evening. On our side we didn't go to Koh Rong for this trip, so we needed a little beach and idleness, it's a good compromise on everything for the price. On the spot we did a blue crab cure with Kampot pepper, we did an aperitif, we bathed and we slept... what did the people ask for?
- 20 minutes boat ride: 8 $ round trip, ticket to be taken directly from the port of Kep.
- Departure from 9am to 1pm. Last return at 3:00.
- Bungalow: $7 per night.
- Restaurants: cheap.
- Massages on the beach: same rates as on the mainland according to your request
- ATTENTION: There is electricity only at the end of the day.
Where to sleep: Meng Narin Koh Island
In this one you have the company of the manager who is completely disgusting and brilliant. Test the' oula oup' with her, you'll laugh at the shrapnel.
Kep Crab Market
As I said earlier, this is one of the things you should not miss if you pass by. This market is dedicated to seafood. Crab fishermen can be observed bringing in their handles and customers coming directly to make their choice. In the market, fish and crabs are cooked directly on the spot, it is very hot! You can enjoy fresh fish and crabs on the spot, but you can also settle down comfortably in one of the restaurants that line the market. That's what we chose, it's a little bit more expensive, but the heat got the better of us.
Abandoned colonial houses
If you are transported, don't hesitate to get lost in the high-rise neighbourhoods of the city. There are old colonial houses that were to be splendid at the time, completely or partially abandoned. Some are squatted, therefore to avoid... but others are just inhabited by monkeys, which can however be aggressive, so be careful.
Kep rice fields
On our way to the Vietnamese border, we find rice paddies as far as the eye can see, and small villages where the curious inhabitants of our passage, made us spend a good time. For that it is necessary to count a good day of road trip, we can't drive too fast because most of the time it's track with lots of holes, but I can tell you that we have priced full eyes and heart.