Cambodia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 105

in the trade. A new bridge, nearly 2km
long, crosses the river, and a left turn
shortly after the bridge takes you
eventually to Koh Yor Beach , a pretty strip
of sand dotted with low-key restaurants.
Despite the fact that much of the rich
sandalwood forest has been transported
to hailand, the area around the town is
beautiful and remains largely unspoilt.

travel arrangements, and op erate an internet café next
door (5000 riel/hr). Double $6

EATING AND DRINKING
Baan Peakmai Asian Hotel , riverside T 035 936667.
A smart a/c restaurant serving some of the best food in
town (Thai mostly, but some Khmer dishes too) including
a delicious green chicken curry ($5) and many vegetarian
dishes. Daily 6.30-9.30am, 11am-2pm & 5-10pm.
★

2

Blue Bar Thmorda Garden Resort, 169 Neuk Kok
Village, 3km from town, on the western side of the river.
Relaxed over water bar with a surprisingly chic design; sip
cold beers ($1) from hammocks or cushion-plumped day
beds overlooking the river. The food is also good and there
are free kayaks for exploring the river. Daily noon-10pm.
Bob's Ice Cream & Bar Southeast of the roundabout
T 016 326455. Expats flock here for the Western food and
great coffee, although the ice cream's nothing special.
Daily 8am-11pm.

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By bus Buses usually drop off east of town near the Acleda
Bank, a $1-2 moto ride into town.
Destinations Phnom Penh (5 daily; 6hr); Sihanoukville
(3 daily; 4hr).
By share taxi or minibus If you're coming by road from
Sihanoukville, get out at the market or the port, from
where you can easily walk to guesthouse accommodation.
Information Koh Kong town is not a large place, and you
can get around on foot, but motos are not expensive at
just 2000 riel a trip. There's an Acleda Bank on the north
side of the market, or you can change baht and dollars on
Street 2 at Ratha Exchange (7am-5pm).

KAMPOT
KAMPOT , with its riverside location,
backdrop of misty Bokor Mountains and
terraces of French shophouses, is one of the
most attractive of Cambodia's provincial
towns. It's also the staging post for side
trips to Kep, and a pleasant place to spend
an afternoon browsing the market, strolling
along the Teuk Chhou River, heading into
the mountains to explore caves and visiting
pepper plantations. he river marks the
western boundary of the town, with the
new market to the north and the
roundabout in the centre.
Bokor , the French-colonial ghost town,
is perched high in the mountains above
Kampot. Parts of the town look like they
were shut up just yesterday, and the eerie
atmosphere is electrifying. A US$100
million development is however changing
the face of the mountain; a plush hotel
and casino have already been completed
with plans mooted for villas, golf courses,
water parks and even a cable car up a
portion of the mountain. A newly
completed 32km road now makes access
easy. All guesthouses organize tours ($15).
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By bus A handful of buses run frequently to and from
Phnom Penh ($5-8; 3-6hr), some taking a circuitous route
via Kep ($3; 45min), which can take up to 6hr. There are
ticket desks adjacent to the transport stop.

ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation options have improved remarkably in
recent years, although expect the inevitable irritation of
moto drivers taking commission, so know where you're
going or book ahead.
Kaing Kaing Guesthouse on the riverfront, near the
old boat dock T 035 6747111. There isn't much English
spoken, but the rooms (fan and a/c) are clean and bright;
many have river-view balco nies and some sleep up to four.
Great location. Double $10
Blue Moon Chicken Farm Rd T 016 946079, E bluemoon
[e-mail]. Small guesthouse 300m from the
riverfront with clean, if dark, en-suite fan and a/c rooms
with TVs. Also runs popular jungle treks. Double $6
Rasmey Buntham Guesthouse Southeast of the
market T 016 797989. Good-sized rooms set around a
central lobby, with pool to the rear. Staff can help with

INTO THAILAND: KOH KONG
From Koh Kong , it's a 12km tuk-tuk/moto
ride ($8/$3) to the border crossing at
Cham Yeam (daily 7am-8pm). Fifteen-day
Thai visas for most passports are arranged
on the spot. From Hat Lek, on the Thai
side of the border, minibuses leave for Trat
(see p.777), 91km northwest, roughly
every 45 minutes between 7am and 5pm
(1hr-1hr 30min; 120 baht); Trat has regular
connections on to Ko Chang.