beautiful Kep

Kep (Khmer: កែប, literally: "Saddle of the Horse") or Kep-sur-Mer in French is a southwestern province of Cambodia. It is subdivided into two districts (srŏk): Kep and Damnak Chang'aeur. Kep, which is located just a few kilometers from Ha Tien, the border with Vietnam, used to be Cambodia's most popular and prestigious beach town but has fallen on hard times in recent years.

Sunrise in Kep, infront of Kukuluku guesthouse

shallow water on Kep beach

an amazing flower

fisher men

Tequilla the dog gave us great company in the morning

From the early 1900s until the 1960s, Kep was a thriving resort town for the French and Cambodian elite. During the Khmer Rouge years, much of Kep's French colonial era mansions and villas were destroyed. Many of Kep's villas are abandoned, but some of the town's former splendour is still apparent.

can you see the little island in the background?

The ocean is lined with wide sidewalks and large statues. King Sihanouk built a home overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, but it was never occupied and now sits empty. A good, paved road connects the town with Kampot. Kep's beaches are mostly mangrove and black rock rather than the white sands of Sihanoukville. Several islands lie off the coast, Koh Thonsáy ( Rabbit Island) is just a short boat ride away. The town is well known for seafood - particularly the crab.

a little Crab in Kep

In addition, Kep is home to an extensive national park. Oli and me walked around a hill for 4 hours and had astonishing views.

this one was a bit shy and didn't want to look into the camera

not shy

the famous Led Zepplin Cafe, but closed

Walking the dogs around the hill

beautiful szenerie around Kep

Another attraction is the mermaid statue.

The white concrete mermaid, with absolutely gravity-defying breasts, sits just to the east of the Beach House on Kep's main beach.

defenitely a Khmer mermaid

Every now and then a bunch of social conservatives kick up a storm about the statue's nudity and drape her with garments -- most of which disappear within a day or two.

One night, we spent on Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay).

on the way to the boat, infront is Rabbit-Island

Koh Tonsay (Khmer: កោះទន្សាយ) is located about 4.5 Kilometers southwest of Kep.

We were drawn to the two beautiful white sand beaches.

Yes, I am posing here for the camera.

The sea here is shallow and has a long slope, making Koh Tonsay excellent for swimming. At the sea bottom are a variety of corals, sea animals and plants which attract researchers and ecologists.

the pancakes were yummy!

Oli thinks: What will I have for lunch???

Snorkling around the beach

the first bungalow from the right was ours

I like Rabbit-Island

The name Koh Tosay is derived from the word Rumsay. While trying to avoid the commander’s troops, Prince Sakor Reach grew hopeless because his own troops began to tire. He led his remaining troops across the sea to an island in front of Kep city, where the troops spread out. Accordingly, the island was called Koh Rumsay, the Koh Ormsay or Koh Ornsay, and the Koh Tonsay, as it is known today.

Koh Tonsay is 2 square kilometers in area. During then-Prince Norodom Sihanouk’s Sangku Reastr Niyum regime, it was used as a place to rehabilitate criminals, who were also used to defend the island. Horse cart paths and wooden, thatch roofed motels were also constructed during this time. Most of this infrastructure has been destroyed by weather and decades of war. Today, seven families live on the island. They earn their living by fishing and growing coconut trees.

a buddist shrein

2 Dollar for the Tuk-Tuk? T'lai nah!

I hope you are all well! Hear from you soon, your Katja!

Phnom Penh, Cambodia