Kep - a colonial times spa

We're on the ocean coast now, more specifically, on the Gulf of Thailand.

We sightsee the city and its surroundings which were once the jewel of the Cambodian coast. The events of revolution of the Khmer Rouge did not spare the place, though not in a way that is considered to be the reason for the drama!

The most interesting place is a huge crab market with all fish and shellfish desired. Anything what you  buy or order to eat, is pulled from the water and immediately processed culinarily.

Bathing in the very warm water of the bay is delightful, but it doesn’t  bring a lot of cooling down.

Quote: “Kep  is the smallest province of Cambodia. It is one of the newest Cambodian provinces, created by Royal Decree on 22 December 2008, which separated Kep municipality from the province of Kampot.  The provincial capital is Kep.

Under French rule Kep belonged to the Circonscription Résidentielle de Kampot, developing into Cambodia's most prestigious beach town. Established as such in 1908 and named Kep-Sur-Mer it was a thriving resort town for the French and Cambodian elite until the early 1970s.

Constructed between 1953 and 1970 - after French occupation, Kep's modernist villas are unique.

A major misconception about Kep is that during the Khmer Rouge years, much of Kep's French colonial era mansions and villas were destroyed. In fact, local residents, being in need of money and food, stripped down the villas so that they could exchange all these valuable parts in Vietnam for rice and cash. Many of Kep's villas are abandoned, but some of the town's former splendor is still apparent.

The ocean is lined with wide sidewalks and large statues.

There are now more than 60 guesthouses, resorts and hotels in Kep. It is currently one of the fastest developing touristic areas in Cambodia with a focus on mid-range to high-end businesses.”

 We're on the ocean coast now, and more specifically, on the Gulf of Thailand.

We sightsee the city and its surroundings which were once the jewel of the Cambodian coast. The events of revolution of the Khmer Rouge did not spare the place, though not in a way that is considered to be the reason for this drama!

The most interesting place is a huge carb market with all fish and shellfish desired. Anything what you  buy or order to eat , is pulled from the water and immediately processed culinarily.

Bathing in the very warm water of the bay is delightful, but it doesn’t  brings a lot of cooling down.

 Quote: “Kep  is the smallest province of Cambodia. It is one of the newest Cambodian provinces, created by Royal Decree on 22 December 2008, which separated Kep municipality from the province of Kampot.  The provincial capital is Kep.

Under French rule Kep belonged to the Circonscription Résidentielle de Kampot, developing into Cambodia's most prestigious beach town. Established as such in 1908 and named Kep-Sur-Mer it was a thriving resort town for the French and Cambodian elite until the early 1970s.

Constructed between 1953 and 1970 - after French occupation, Kep's modernist villas are unique.

A major misconception about Kep is that during the Khmer Rouge years, much of Kep's French colonial era mansions and villas were destroyed. In fact, local residents, being in need of money and food, stripped down the villas so that they could exchange all these valuable parts in Vietnam for rice and cash. Many of Kep's villas are abandoned, but some of the town's former splendor is still apparent.

The ocean is lined with wide sidewalks and large statues.

There are now more than 60 guesthouses, resorts and hotels in Kep. It is currently one of the fastest developing touristic areas in Cambodia with a focus on mid-range to high-end businesses.”