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Kampot – if the pepper runs out, we have Ben’s pizzas!

October 9, 2009 by Fran Leave a Comment

Ok, my second blog in one day. Slightly unusual I agree. However, let me explain.

My first post was when I had just got to Kampot. At this point, my world class pepper stole all the headlines. In the intervening few hours there has been a seismic shift with the pepper falling down the food, and fame pecking order.

Enter, stage right, Ben’s pizzas from Mea Culpa. Where?, all you Lonely Planet afficionados shout! Yeah, I know. Mea Culpa is not in the “bible”. And how that has to change.

One quiet, rainy afternoon in Siem Reap I was surfing the ‘net for somewhere to stay in Kampot. And I stumbled across TripAdvisor and what seemed to be the phenomenon of Mea Culpa. The reviews seemed too good to be true so I emailed and asked for a room immediately.

Now the interesting part. Once you have booked into an establishment there is nothing they would do to discourage you fro
coming. Not flood. Not fire. Not famine. Not even the guesthouse falling down (they will have a family member who has a room for you).

But, get this. I got an email from Ben telling me that his neighbour has started to build a house, there will be noise through the day, and if I want to cancel he could recommend some good guesthouses in town.

For his honesty, I kept the booking. And you know what? I’ve been here all day and not heard any noise. And, here’s the deal breaker. The pizzas, from his self built wood fired oven would give Napoli’s best a run for their money.

Come to Kampot. Come to Mea Culpa.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Cambodia, Kampot

Kampot – famous for pepper, apparently!

October 9, 2009 by Fran Leave a Comment

Arrived in Kampot around 10.00am after the relatively short (2 hour) mini bus ride from Sihanoukville. It would have probably felt even shorter if I wasn’t sharing the bus with smoking monks and spitting Cambodians! Oh well, this is Asia.

The minibus driver kindly dropped me at my guest house, Mea Culpa, which is owned and run by an Irish fella called Ben.

I immediately was made to feel welcome and the guesthouse is lovely. Big air con double room, with DVD player and free wi-fi. After a quick change I have come for a walk round and my first thought is that I should have come here sooner. Very reminiscent of Hoi An in Vietnam. Old French colonial style buildings down by the river front and quiet little lanes. A world away from the hustle and bustle of Sihanoukville.

Just sat in Bokor Mountain Lodge, a great little riverside bar/restaurant, having a Lavazza coffee and banana pancakes with a beautiful breeze blowing off the river.

They have a great selection of wines too. I might just stay here all day…

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Cambodia

Sihanoukville – Anybody there?

October 8, 2009 by Fran Leave a Comment

Arrived in Sihanoukville yesterday and was not disappointed by the Lonely Planet description, scruffy town centre. It was certainly that.

I was met off the bus by the obligatory moto scrum whereby you have to fight and push to convince people that you don’t need a ride anywhere. Having pre-booked the Small Hotel, I knew it was only a short walk away, not that I was able to convince any of the moto riders who persisted to follow me up the street and to the hotel.

Having got there so early I think I woke the hotel workers and they seemed genuinely surprised to have a guest. A bad sign?

As it turns out, no. There were other guests in the hotel and the hotel staff were so friendly.

I went for a wander to Serendipity beach in the afternoon and this uninspiring. It really is like Thailand 10 years ago but currently without the backpackers. From my 1 hour walk and time at the beach, I could have counted the number of travellers on the fingers of my hand.

Due to the rain, I borrowed some DVDs and watched them in my room before heading out in the evening for dinner

This was a highlight at the time. Chilled white wine and a gorgeous pizza. Not so much of a highlight when it all came back up at 3.30am!!!

Hmm, not sure what I have eaten that has caused it but not feeling too good today either

Think I will stick to toast, tea and chocolate 🙂

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Cambodia

Last day in Siem Reap – Tues 6th October

October 6, 2009 by Fran Leave a Comment

Well, today started slowly bearing in mind I didn’t feel too well last night.

One beer and I was done. Things were so bad that I even resorted to watching Titanic on Star Movies!!

So I leave for Sihanoukville today. A 10 hour overnight bus ride.

Not sure what to expect when I there as it is a beach resort but it’s the rainy season! However, that said there have been travellers leaving the hostel to go there, so I shouldn’t be the only person in town ha ha.

I’m having a civilised day today, coffee at a luxurious Cambodian institutio
, the FCC. Followed by lunch at Cafe de la Paix, very swish, with air con and free wifi. Oh yeah, and damn good coffee.

I’m gonna leave it there for now and see what the rest of the day has in store 🙂

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Cambodia, Siam Reap

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