Kep

The Irish Place, where we stayed, is in a good location for the old city of Phnom Penh, however, while also cheap has one or two downsides. It has a very loud bar, which is frequented by expats and NGO (non government organisation) personal, who like to get drunk....

The cook rarely gets up before mid morning, so find breakfast elsewhere. When he does cook, the food is very good.

Generally the mattresses in Lao, Cambodia and Thailand, are very firm, think tabletop. However, the mattress at the Irish Place was sprung. Only problem is you could feel every spring digging in hips, side, back and legs. It would have been more comfortable sleeping standing up. Surprising what one can get used to!!
Anyway from there moved to Kep. A totally different kettle of fish, or should I say crab!

Kep is a small place on the coast, not far from Vietnam. It is famous for its eating crabs and prawns.
We decided to give VIP buses a miss, and brought a cheap ticket for a local bus. The journey takes about three hours from Phnom Penh. It was considerably more comfortable than a VIP minibus!!

Arrived and found that our first choice guesthouse was fully booked. Pat, the owner of the Irish Place, had mentioned a place, so we went there. Very nice, a/c bungalows at $35, or a wooden shack with a fan at $18, (£11). Guess what Yvonne and Mike had, lol. Liked the place and the owners, so we stayed 3 nights before moving on.

Place had its own pool, great views, and 500 metres from the crab market and restaurants. 

Apart from crabs, this place is the 'champagne' region for pepper. Organic Kampot pepper is reputedly the best pepper in the world. So visited an organic pepper plantation, and brought some.

Leave you with some photos. Our hut. Sunset from our hut. The pool. Pepper plant, and drying. Kep land, sea? mark.