The Pepper Mansion
Kep was a very "well to do" area for the colonial French in the early 20th century, due to the amount of pepper produced in the area it became very popular both as an export port and a seaside retreat and some very large and no doubt expensive colonial mansions appeared along the coast line.
After the French left Cambodia in the 1950's it became a popular resort for the Cambodians with its great views and good seafood and it saw something of a development boom. Tragically, for much of the 1980’s, this inauspicious little seaside town was the site of ferocious fighting between the Khmer Rouge and forces loyal to the government. Only now is life starting to grow in the area with people returning as the threat of land mines lessens by the year.
Lots of the colonial property's in the area have either been destroyed with only the grand and ornate walls remaining or the remaining parts of them have been turned into housing by transient workers.
This one ... the grandest on the beach front has had the garden looked after by the Town Governor for many years but the house has just been left as by law it cannot be destroyed, when we passed we found a family was living in a bottom room but after a little talk and a dollar they were happy for us to have a look. Not the biggest location but the views did it for me!