Just a few kilometres from Kampot, between pepper plantations and karst hills, a stretch of water carries a name that is both intriguing and misleading: the Secret Lake. Far from being a simple scenic spot, this man-made body of water holds the memory of a dark period in Cambodian history. Today, Kep West's Discovery Center runs kayak trips here, gliding silently between drowned trees and water lilies, through one of the most striking landscapes in the province.

At Kep, two passionate expats are laying the groundwork for a kitesurf community at the Sailing – Discovery Center of Kep West. Frédéric Seynaeve and Gérard Vann tell us their story.

My name is Thy Hang, I'm 40 years old and I've decided to spend a wonderful holiday at Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West.

It's 5:30 pm on a sun-kissed Saturday at Coco Beach, the idyllic white-sand beach designed by Kep West. As the sun sets over the horizon, the customers, relaxed and happy, take their seats in their deckchairs, cocktail in hand, beaming from ear to ear. Meanwhile, the technicians, buzzing with excitement, are busy connecting the sound system, instruments and microphones on the small beach stage. Marc, the 'man behind the scenes' of the show, is overseeing everything.

Peter Brongers is an expatriate of Dutch origin who knows South-East Asia inside out, a region in which he is well known for his skills as a