I buy a flight from Phnom Penh to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. I considered the bus, but for not too much more I avoid an uncomfortable journey upwards of 30 hours with several bus changes and a border crossing. Plus, I save a couple of days, and that is good considering I only have a bit over a month to see two more countries.
Today, boxing day, is a lazy affair. Marissa lounges about at the hotel and Patricia and I walk to the crab market for a look around and a bite to eat. We decide on grilled squid, and while we eat there's a bit of a commotion as the ladies have pulled in the crab pots and locals scramble to buy the best-looking ones.
We wander around the small seaside market, consider buying the famous local pepper, indulge in some local sweet treats (coconut and sticky rice cooked in banana leaves, deep-fried green banana with sesame seeds). The two small squid are enough for me. While travelling I have usually had quite the hearty appetite, what with all the walking every day, but today I feel unusually full even before eating. My stomach feels unusual, not sore or rumbling or sending me running to the toilet, just unusual. For now I put it down to having to finish Marissa's meals every time we eat.
The evening is spent up at Kep Lodge by the swimming pool, taking in the sunset, and downing cocktails. But my stomach is still causing me to worry, and I don't feel like eating or drinking much.
We talk to one of the waiters, a Khmer man from another part of the country but now a Kep local. He tells us how not seven years ago Kep had no electricity, no paved roads, and he had to hike up the mountain to collect firewood. Now, as 2013 comes to a close, we're checking our mail on the wi-fi connection by a swimming pool, drenched in artificial light.
Oh. Now my stomach is starting to cramp.
I decide on an early night and hope I feel better in the morning.
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| Famous Kampot pepper |
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| Crab-market squid |
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| The crab-pot hustle |
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