Where We Be
Leave it to us to eat a Happy Pizza without knowing what it is!
Kampot, Cambodia & "Happy Pizza"
Spectacular blooms grace the gardens at the aptly named GreenHouse
So on our last morning in Kampot we decide to
take a tuk-tuk downtown to explore the city's
French colonial architecture. Afterwards we
pop into a riverside pizza place for lunch. As we
peruse the menu the hostess tells us, “This our
most popular pizza.” She points to one called
Happy Herb Cheese Pizza with herbs, spices,
and an egg on top, but we decide on pepperoni
pizza instead. The hostess says, “We can add
herbs to that one too.” I’m thinking she means
Italian herbs so I say, “Oh, that would be great.”
Half an hour later she sets the pizza down in
front of us, announcing “Happy pizza!” “Happy
pizza!” we reply heartily, totally clueless as to
what's really going on here. We chow down. The
herbs taste slightly bitter and Robin's not a big
fan so she eats around them, but I dig right in.

We take a tuk-tuk home and decide on a nap in
our bungalow. The next thing I know I’m having
the weirdest dream. I say something out loud
and apologize for talking in my sleep. “What did
I say?” I ask Robin. She starts giggling because
I hadn’t said a word up until then. It’s funny at
first, but then reality starts fading in and out
and I can’t remember what I’ve said and what I
THINK I’ve just said. “Did I just say that?” I say.

I’m worried: maybe enough air isn’t getting to
my brain. Maybe I'm having a stroke or some-
thing. I tell Robin, “I think something's wrong”
and wander out to the veranda. I feel like I’m
going to pass out so I sit down on the floor,
trying to get a grip. I can’t seem to hold onto
time but have to keep looking down at my watch.

Finally the dots connect. “The  pizza,” I say
heavily. “We ate a HAPPY pizza. Those herbs
weren't Italian -- they were pot!” Suffice it to say
the next six hours are a blur. The bartender,
knowing of our plight, kiddingly calls us Cheech
and Chong when we show up for dinner still a
bit out of it. Much later, at 3 am,  I awake and
have an epiphany: “Whoa: those pinpricks of
light shining through the bamboo look just like
stars!” That’s as close as I come to having a
good time on ganja.
In the afternoon you can dive off the floating pier into the Kampot River for a swim
View of the guesthouse from the river
You can also go kayaking along the river for $1 per hour
We spent four lovely days here sipping wine, eating fine food, and soaking in the views
We'll leave you with a final view of the Kampot River from GreenHouse's veranda
This huge durian statue in the middle of a roundabout is a local landmark
Another statue celebrates Kampot Province's evaporated sea salt industry
A short tuk-tuk ride brings you into Kampot proper, where
you can explore the town's French colonial architecture
This friendy fellow poses against a backdrop of Kampot's faded
French buildings -- the balconies remind us a bit of New Orleans
Kampot's iconic Old Bridge was damaged during the
Khmer Rouge period and haphazardly repaired afterwards
The scene of the crime looks innocent enough. Are
we the only clueless people who have ever done this?
The town's sleepy riverside setting makes for a pleasant stroll or bike ride
The entire main building was disassembled and moved from its
former site along the Tonle Sap River to its present location
Sunset view from the restaurant veranda
The tranquil view from our veranda
At least we have a wonderful bungalow at GreenHouse Kampot in which to recuperate
Our deluxe bungalow (#7) includes a surprisingly modern bathroom with hot shower
GreenHouse is located 8 km north of Kampot along the Kampot River
We particularly love the restaurant's veranda with elevated view of the river