The Move across the Road

20 Dec 2013

Goodness, is it that time already!? It’s the 20^th December – time just flies.

On Wednesday, a couple of days ago, we did our scheduled move from our lovely, comfortable bungalow at Bacoma, across the road to Kimly Lodge (because Bacoma was booked up for Christmas months ago). Not an altogether straightforward transition.

There’s nothing wrong with Kimly – it has a lovely garden and a row of half a dozen well-appointed concrete and tile bungalows – but it’s much more formal and hotel-like than we’re used to. And there’s no restaurant/cafe where everyone can gather. And the mini-bar is expensive. And the wifi is weak. And the staff don’t speak much English. And generally we felt unhappy about spending two weeks in a hotel room. So yesterday we had a little trawl around to look for somewhere else, hoping that we wouldn’t lose all our money already spent on Kimly.

Kimly gardens and bungalow. Very neat and clean.

Our abode at Kimly.

Eventually we found a room at Tree Tops – a backpacker place not far away, with thatched bamboo bungalows on stilts set in a lovely wild garden. They had one room left which we could have for $20 a night. It would be a bit like camping for a couple of weeks – very basic accommodation, small and dark, with holes in the walls and floor and no hot water - but friendly people. We booked it.

Back at Kimly overnight, we had second-thoughts! And by morning we had decided to revert to the relative luxury of hotel-dom – the lure of warm showers and a clean, bug/snake/spider-proof room proved too much for us. So here we are back at Kimly. Nothing is ever straightforward in paradise!

Artist at work. Artists have such sensitive souls.

Unlike most places, which have dogs to act as guards and cats to deal with the rodents, Kimly has ... a pair of ducks, which patrol the grounds assiduously, cleaning up around the plants.

Nick.

There's a family of monkeys who live on the shore. Most are too fast-moving to photograph,but this fella decided to pose for me. 

Youngster sitting on the sea wall.

Hanuman - monkey god - outside the tourist office. We haven't seen the tourist office open yet!

I've been trying to learn to identify tropical fruit. I think this might be jujube - but I'm not sure.  

I still find these ruins fascinating. You can imagine the ghosts of early-twentieth century French glitterati holding magnificent parties. 

This is the famous Crab Market. A little less glamorous than its billing - but you get used to that round here.

We went for a walk along a jungle path through massive trees. Trevann always seems to get followed by a dog.

And did I mention the sunsets? Kep is famous for them!