There was no plan at all, we just had a quick decision to Kep &Kampot for our weekend. Here is my second time visit Bokor highland. Last time I went there with my Japanese girlfriend, we rented the private car up to the hill, cost 100 USD and we could stop wherever we wished. The road up to the hill is very appropriate and convenience in driving accompany with the both side stunning scenery. There are two ways to get Bokor highland: take your own vehicle or rent the car, if you take bus it will stop you only at Kep or Kampot so you have to find the way to the hill or you can rent the motorbike is not the bad idea too. The motorbike rental fee is 6 USD per day with your passport deposit. It’s weird, they don’t rent the motorbike for Cambodian citizen, probably something behind the scene like scam, fraud more happen with Cambodian people. I feel ashamed about that. The initially they can rent the bike for me, cox they thought I am holding the foreign passport my style doesn’t look like the local one, but I told them I am the real Cambodian, then they said sorry to me you cannot rent the motorbike if you are holding the Cambodian passport.
About 181.2 Km from Phnom Penh to Bokor hill station and 64.7 Km from Kep province. The trip without plan is always happen but the trip with itinerary is always mess up. We had breakfast and straight to Bokor highland, there is foggy sometimes, the weather is pretty cold and also small shower. There is nothing to do there but merely capturing photos. Mid of way up to the hill there is the statue of [Yeay Mao] Cambodian people do believe in Buddhism, many local people gathering there for praying and blessing for happiness and prosperity. We stopped by there for quick to pay a praying then we headed to the old church, it looks like Jesus church with the old architecture but interesting. It should be abandon for long time ago. They actually can restructure on this church but they keep it for tourist purpose thought. On the way, there is also the old casino was like the French’s designing style, you can see nothing if it’s the foggy time, weather on the hill is so on mood 5 minutes is shower then 5 minutes later is shinny. We do enjoy with photos capturing, looking for the best spots to have the great shots. The views from the hill likes the heaven, it is cloudy, foggy, windy. Rainy season from May-November is the best time to see Bokor hill cox the scenery are very green you will never have disappointed. We opened the car’s roof touching with the air and smell the natures, that’s amazing.
It was raining when we are ready to come back to town, so we hided from the rain and stay in the temple for a while. I can see many foreigners they drive the motorbike to the hill with their raincoat, if you want to get the detail about the story of Bokor you better have the tour guide from the town, even me I have no idea too what was going on there. Down to the Road Town, looks at the right side you will see one restaurant serves the local food and specialist dish it named [Nom Banhchok Tek Hich] we had beef stick, Cambodian noodle and pancake [Banh Chhev] it’s all so yummy and affordable. Don’t have food on the hill is very expensive.
Tip: You should bring the jacket is extremely cold. Do bring your hat or cap to protect your face cox sometimes it is too hot. Also, sunblock is highly recommended, driving in responsibility the road is curve up and down, snake way better slow down your speed is the safest. Lock eyes on the best spots if you are the real photographers.
