Place to see: Kampot, Kâmpôt, Cambodia

About this place:

Kampot is a sleepy riverside town that was established by the French in the early 1900s and is a classic example of crumbling colonial architecture. It is not far from the Vietnamese border, so if you come up from Vietnam, it is a good place to stop on your way north. There is a good selection of restaurants and guesthouses, my favorite being the Riki Tiki Tavi Guesthouse (see “Places to Sleep”). Rent a bicycle and cruise around town, but don’t miss the other side of the river with its villages and dusty roads. Kepler's books has a great selection of used and copy books at cheap prices - a perfect place to stock up. Around Kampot is the must see old hill station of Bokor with its clutch of eerie abandoned buildings, gorgeous Cambodian countryside dotted with picturesque villages, and the ruins of the seaside resort of Kep. Jack from Sok Lim Tours can hook you up with all your touring and transport needs: www.soklimtours.com