Pepper Plantation, Secret Lake, Cave

Today we hired a tuk tuk guide to take us around the attractions of Kampot. We started with a very bumpy ride out of the village to the salt flats. As it is still transitioning from rainy season to dry season there was no salt being processed. During dry season, sand lined flat pans are flooded with sea water. The sun then evaporates the water off leaving salty residue. The salt is then processed into a consumable seasoning.

Next we travelled to a village with a cave. The village is self sufficient with huge crop farms and cattle. The cave holds a shrine dated a similar time to Angkor Wat.

Next stop was the secret lake. The location was a rural area during which the Khmer Rouge took over and forced the locals to build the huge lake and dam.

After, we went to La Plantacion, a new pepper plantation attraction. The site grows Kampot pepper ( much like champagne the name ‘kampot pepper’ is trademarked the region). We learned about the processes of making white, green, black, red, and salty pepper. We also got to take their organic spice blends and sauces.

Finally we head back to the hotel for a swim and dinner. On our way back out guide stopped to buy us a fried banana, a very popular snack in Cambodia. I love it- Robin not so much. Tomorrow we say goodbye to the luxury and back to guest houses and hostels.

-M