The Rusty Nail’s Rack of Ribs – Kampot, Cambodia

Kampot Fisherwoman on the River

Kampot in Cambodia is one of the ways to access Southern Vietnam – but this sleepy town is more than just a gateway to the beaches on the Vietnamese South coast. It boasts a number of good watering holes, good international menus and well as traditional fare, a charitable school for the deaf and blind, a music school for orphaned and disabled children (run by a dedicated English founder and volunteers).

The Coconut Dance – Kampot School of Traditional Music

This is a place to chill out and sit down by the river at night tucking into huge mouth-watering servings of BBQ ribs at the Rusty Nail (order in advance) and be entertained by the English ex-pat owner, you’ll either love him or hate him but the food is excellent. Take a sunset cruise. catch your own fish and BBQ it on a beach. Visit the local bays such as Kep and go tiger spotting at the Bokor National Park. Wander around the town and take scenic shots of crumbling French colonial houses. Take in a lesson at the music school and chat to the English founder and volunteers. Visit the nearby water villages. Support local charities by having a well deserved massage by the blind massuers at Seeing Hands or Massages by the Blind then drop into the Epic Arts Cafe run by deaf and disabled young adults.

I stayed here longer than I intended because the laid back atmosphere was enticing and we were invited to a celebration at the Traditional Music School held in honour of their Kuwait sponsors. But the main draw was the famed Rusty Nail’s rack of BBQd ribs – huge, delicious and a little taste of home after all the local food I had been eating. Check out this website for a picutre of the renowned ribs. http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzannehitchen/183962615/