Kratie, Kampi and Kaoh Trong

This were our stops to meet and enjoy the Mekong river. It's specific beauty, charm and spirit.

Coming from Phon Penh (will be covered later) to Kratie town was a long 6hrs (9$/seat) minivan travel. At least this one was well air-conditioned, making regular short stops every hour and dropped us infront of our guesthouse.

Well rated and in all aspects excellent Tonle Guesthouse. Hospitality training center, founded and owned by some people from Switzerland. We were staying in a family room (1*dbl + 1*sngl bed), aircon, stylish, shared bathroom, good WI-FI. 22$/night. And also enjoyed their professional service and delicious food. Great place and value/money ratio. 10/10.

We have also organised here our tuk-tuk for a trip to the Kampi (12$, 4hrs). The small town some 20km up north by the Mekong where some of the last Irrawaddy dolphins still survive (+- only 80 left in the whole Mekong river). And it is possible to make a boat observing ride here. 9$ adult + 4$ kids for an hour is not cheap so we hope that the money is really helping the dolphins protection. It is hard to see them from up close and to make a decent photos, but we have seen a few and an early morning ride (7:30) was very pleasant. (And can be even more If your boy just do not start demanding playing with his Ninjago characters, loosing interest in dolphins and being both strongly annoyed and annoying...).

On our way back to the Kratie town we had a stop at the Phnom Sambok Pagoda. Actually a living Buddhist hill with several small houses for monks, statues, pagodas and graves. Gang of cheeky monkeys around too. Not spectacular, but very pleasant by being non-turistic and authentic.

The town of Kratie is not much interesting, but offers general services travelers may need. It is not possible to say it is nice, but neither it is ugly. And the settings by the Mekong river makes it actually somehow nice.

Also people were mostly very positive. Apparently not so used to see young kids like Tad and Oli. Smiling and greeting them and touching them.*

Just a 5 min boat ride (0,25$ / adult) from the Kratie is the Kaoh Trong island. Beautiful and simply rural place with a small fields, lot of bamboos, grape fruit trees and ever present cows. Very relaxed, simple and quiet place in the middle of the Mekong river.

We had pre-booked the Arun Mekong guesthouse (30$/night, double bed) on the north of the island. And took a 2 motorcycles from the boat landing to take us there (1$ each). And it was a good travel experience which kids liked.

The Arun Mekong place might be really good if the quality of service and general attitude of the staff to provide it would be just much more higher. This way our feelings were strongly ambivalent. Good spot and nice bungalow with a private bathroom. And they have even added the whole double bed for us to fit us in well (additional 5$/night). It's hard to say that something in particular was wrong there. Just somehow the price did not reflect the quality. And maybe also the contrast with Tonle was too obvious. Especially towards the food quality and serving.

So our verdict here is 6/10. Next time we would prefer (and recommend) to stay in one of the island community homestay to get under the skin of the local life.

Nevertheless, our stay on the island was great and very relaxing. Kids just liked walking through the farmland and petting calfs and even more they have enjoyed riding around the island on the bicycle (2.5$/day). No child seat needed, just simply and without any problem holding to us and happily enjoying the ride. Stopping here (barbershop and platyground..) and there ("café" and temple..).

We found this island to be kind of a peaceful rural paradise and definitely do recommend going there for anyone who is willing to chill. But be aware, that when the night comes the paradise is a bit over as scorpions are present (and maybe also other creatures). Also it's good to be aware that monks from the island temple can use their soundsystem not only for religious music and prayers in the early morning, but also to play some loud'n'bass pop-electronic in the evening.

*Sometimes people here in Cambodia behave really like without any barriers and respect. Trying to force kids to make a photo, touch their cheek or to tickle them. Which is not always welcomed neither by the kids and (therefore) nor by us. And it already happened several times that Lukas had to raise his voice to protect the kids.