June 2026 - Phnom Penh to Kampot
This trip was just a little bit stupid. I wanted to get out of Phnom Penh as a lot had been going on and I was sad with a lot of great friends leaving.
However I was on some pretty heavy meds for a strep infection and the 3 days it took me to get to Kampot really wiped me out physically. The good part of this is the it meant I did not stay out late and drink much, and I was able to work at getting this blog set up.
First Night - Bati
This is just a small town on National Road 2. It seems to be a place to provide labor for the nearby clothing factories going by the number of trucks passing through bringing back the workers. There were no bars and basic Khmer restaurants.
And of course it was raining.
Accommodation was very cheap at only $10 per night with wifi and aircon.
There are some places nearby I have been to on other trips but I would probably not stay here. Worth visiting are
Second Night - Doun Kaev
Doun Kaev is the capital of Takao Province and is sometimes called Takao town. It was quiet and very pleasant. Restaurants were good including one selling New Zealand meat. The foreshore of the lake is where to hangout at night.
There was a spectacular sunset over the lake that evening.
Kampot
Kampot is a beautiful quiet town. It has a lot to do as a tourist
Street Scenes
The streets in Kampot are wide, well maintained and have no traffic. After the chaos of Phnom Penh they are a delight to ride on. The town borders a very quiet estuary.
Buildings
Kampot has resisted the need to demolish every building and replace it with a high rise. Although the clutter of internet cables dominates buildings
Kampot at Night
By night Kampot riverside and nearby streets are all lit up with pop up bars and restaurants. Local people in particular are out and about enjoying the warm evening.
