Kep is in Cambodia’s southern corner, 15km from the Vietnamese border, 85km from Sihanoukville and 160km from Phnom Penh. It was a thriving, elegant beach resort town in the early 20th century. A visit here is all about enjoying rural Cambodia and unplugging from a hectic lifestyle. It has a healthy dose of small-town charm, is laid-back and dotted with crumbling colonial reminders of a bygone age, and boasts wide roads, swaying palm trees and friendly locals. It’s well known for its plentiful fresh seafood (especially crab), available in dozens of beachside shacks. Explore the lush countryside, caves, waterfalls, small beaches, a pepper plantation and the nearby Phnum Bokor National Park for trekking and camping. The best time to visit is during the cool season – November to March, roughly. Most arrive by bus from Sihanoukville, Kampot, Phnom Penh or across the border from Ha Tien, Vietnam. Traveller tips: Besides feasting on the fresh crabs, you could hire a tour guide for the day or simply rent a motorbike and set off to explore unassisted.
Posted on: Sun, 04 Aug 2013 01:11:50 +0000