Kep

Just half an hour after leaving Kampot, we arrived at our hotel in Kep – and it exceeded all our expectations. The hotel is located right on the beach promenade, with only the road separating it from the beach. The reception, restaurant and common areas were built in an open style, which was very pleasant in the heat.

Our rooms were on the first floor – pleasantly spacious, clean, and equipped with a fridge, which was, as always, very welcome.

On the same level was the beautiful pool, made up of two basins on two levels. We had found paradise.

The large main pool was on the lower level, and above it was a small basin with a waterfall and built-in seating benches. That was where I would spend a lot of time reading.

We unpacked our luggage first.

The rest of the day we relaxed by the pool and also went for a swim in the sea.

Unfortunately, the beach doesn't have any sun loungers like you’d find at other beaches. In the past, this wouldn’t have bothered me – but now that I’m no longer quite so young, I do prefer a bit more comfort. Lying directly on the ground doesn’t agree with my old bones anymore.

Still, swimming in the sea was very pleasant – my first time in Southeast Asia. I had never been to the sea there before. After the swim, we returned to the loungers by the pool.

In the evening, we enjoyed a very good dinner at the hotel, followed by a walk along the beach promenade.

The next morning, we had breakfast at the hotel, and soon after, another guide picked us up by tuk-tuk.

First, we visited a pepper farm where a lovely young woman from Slovenia gave us some really interesting information about the cultivation and processing of this fine spice. We learned about the different varieties – red, black, green, and white pepper – saw different cultivation methods, and found out how the pepper is washed, processed, and sorted by hand.

At the end, we were allowed to taste the pepper, and of course, this wonderful spice was also available to buy.

Next, we drove to the so-called "Secret Lake" (Brateak Krola Lake), which was built as an irrigation dam during the Khmer Rouge regime.

The lake was created through forced labor and today lies picturesquely between hills and rice fields. It’s considered a popular swimming spot away from Kep's beaches.

The Khmer Rouge had a plan to plant rice fields all over the country – both to feed the population and to export, especially to China. At the time, pepper was seen as an unnecessary luxury and was therefore banned.

Next stop were the salt fields of Kep, which seemed to stretch endlessly toward the horizon. Each of these fields yields up to 600 kg of salt several times per season. We even had the opportunity to taste the salt.

The final stop of our tour was the crab market of Kep, which is well known far beyond Cambodia’s borders. All kinds of seafood and fish can be bought here or prepared and eaten on the spot. We especially enjoyed the fresh squid and prawns.

After this wonderful outing, we ended the day once again at the pool. In the evening, we dined again in the hotel restaurant and enjoyed a breathtaking sunset over the entire bay.

The next morning, we were woken by a sound we hadn’t heard in a long time: rain pounding on the hotel’s roof. The sky was dark and overcast, and yet there was something magical in the air.

This day was a special one – it was my partner’s birthday. I had secretly bought a piece of cake and a candle the day before in a supermarket, and now we surprised him with it.

We treated ourselves to a lovely breakfast, while the rain continued to fall. After breakfast, the rain eased and we decided to go for a walk.

We strolled along Kep’s beautiful promenade until we came to a very idyllic restaurant located directly by the sea. We ordered coffee and freshly pressed juices. While we sipped our drinks, we enjoyed the stunning view of the sea and of a nearby island, which already belonged to Vietnam.

Back at the hotel, there was no trace of rain – the sun was shining once again. Since this was our last day by the sea, we just wanted to relax in this dreamy setting.

I kept reading my book, swam in the water, we treated ourselves to drinks by the pool and savored this beautiful day.

In the evening, we watched the sun go down for the last time – as it sank into the sea, casting everything in a magical play of colors we had never seen before. It was the perfect end to a Wonderful time in Kep.