Phnom Penh to Kampong Thmar

It was good to be leaving Phnom Penh. The hotel was nice but really, the city isn’t much. I left to the north and went over to the river on the way.

Then it was over the bridge and into Highway 6 which I’ll be on or close to for the next four days.

I’m feeling better but not 100% yet, and perhaps this explains my lack of motivation to explore further. Also, I’ve been to Cambodia twice before backpacking so I’m not out there seeing the sights. I’ve seen plenty of places here on buses, boats, motorbikes or taxis, so I’m just relaxing and hanging out this time. I figure I have 2 more weeks of riding and I think I can even get to the beach in Thailand and avoid the Pattaya area as well.

The only things on my list to do are to revisit Angkor Wat, visit friends in Bangkok and wind down and relax.

Today, I was intending to stop in Skun after 75kms. I knew it wasn’t the classiest of places so I thought I’d at least ride through before deciding. There weren’t many options. After 33kms, I saw a sign saying Kampong Thmar 97km. I thought it was much further than that. I had an early lunch and checked out hotels near there.

One stood out as being really good compared to the others anywhere near it – including the ones in Skun.

I found Skun a bit disappointing. The main roundabout area is nice but the place didn’t really grab me. So I continued the extra 55kms to Kampong Thmar. (I felt good, the road was flat and the traffic was light. In the end, it was a quick ride and well worth it – the hotel is clean and basic – perfect.

I paid with a fresh $20 bill and the reception guy took the money, put it in the draw and immediately pulled it out again and showed me that it was a damaged note – it had a 2mm tear at the top. He went through their usual routine – mmmm, inhale through clenched teeth, a shake of the head, inhale again, general worried look.

I got on the front foot and waved my finger – we’re not doing this. There’s nothing wrong with it ! He called his boss who spoke great english and he went through the same routine. I told him to accept it or I go elsewhere, but tell me now. In the end he said it was ok.

It was only after he said that, that I noticed the fingernails on the reception guy. They were seriously 1-2cm, each one. I wonder if he accidentally sliced the note while picking it up ?

All good now though. I cleaned up and headed to Cafe Amazon for a smoothie but they were closed. I rode towards town to another place. Closed too. Gave up, headed back and stumbled on a nice place, and sat down for a strawberry smoothie – aaahhhhh.

Dinner was at a roadside place beside the local Futsal field. It’s run by nice people who don’t let the language barrier be a barrier.