These are air holes in which they would let the steam out in the mornings (as a result of the cooking done underground), only ever in the mornings though when misty so as not to rat themselves out.

Whilst these link up with parts of the tunnels these holes served more of a purpose in the war time for hiding out and surprise attacks. I was quiet easily able to fit into the hide out (though apparently widened by tourists) but once inside there isn’t much room to move. Also pictured is Joe peeping out and Sam being overly keen and getting comfortable inside.

Simple traps set up to catch and harm American soldiers

Pictured at the bottom is a photograph of a model displayed at the beginning stage of our tour. It shows a cross-sectional view of the tunnel design and probably the best way to get an idea of the design, but also where we crawled later on. The 1st level is completely functional; sleeping, eating, cooking and food storage and the second two are involved with war movements. They go as deep as 10-12 meters below the ground, taking (if my memory serves me correctly) 25 years to construct out of the perfectly hard, clay soils here in Vietnam. These tunnels stretch all the way to the Cambodian boarder, as a means to collect resources whilst within the war. Absolutely amazing!

Enroute to the tunnels we, and all other tour buses seemed to have a mandatory toilet stop at this “factory” and shop. Here we had men, women, girls and boys creating masterpieces, some making what looked like eggshell mosaic, others carving pearl into or creating paintings, some sawing and others polishing. All the items they were working on we’re displayed to be sold at an extraordinary price inside. A very Asian thing to do…

After a long journey home, I decided to walk to the riverside to avoid being overcharged for the trip home. Though i was hassled AND followed by a persistent motorbike driver. On the way home I passed a place I had read about and been looking for. This is an amazing NGO-run cafe, not only boasting the best desserts of epic proportions, as well as an excellent looking menu, it is entirely run by deaf and blind students of Kampot, giving them the opportunity to word and support themselves. This makes it a little different ordering food. Around the cafe is art work that the employees have completed and I picked up some of here origami hangers. Whilst I was admiring a school group was upstairs having their very own signing lesson. There are some amazing things going on in Cambodia (sister ones of these are spread throughout the country).

From above and from the ground, the beach unfortunately does not do itself justice with all these storms, this golden sanded beauty has been churned up a little too much.

The oldest a best known restaurant in this area (according to lonley planet). Part of the reason for my journey to Kep was to indulge in their infamous crab. Seaside seating, and for $9 I got a mix plate of squid, prawns and a small crab cooked in chilli, lime and salt (seasoned with a generous amount of Kampot pepper) and a fresh pineapple juice (with complimentary pineapple as an appetiser…I was pineapple-ed out!). The crab was delicious and I was relatively impressed with my de-shelling this round. But I didn’t feel too good not long later and this whole thing was probably way too enthusiastic given my tummy. But I was definitely glad I came and checked out what all the fuss was about.

Translucent butterfly friends on the walk down