Morning Gratitude
When daylight broke, I realized how beautiful the guesthouse truly was. Last night, in the dark and pouring rain, I hadn’t been able to see it clearly. The owner welcomed us warmly and treated us with kindness beyond expectation. Before leaving, we took a photo together—a keepsake from someone whose generosity carried us through a difficult night.
A Breakfast of Kindness
The food stall owner we met the previous evening had invited us for breakfast. We went, and as soon as we arrived, he began serving us a meal of tender chicken over rice. He prepared everything himself, with a smile that radiated kindness. In that moment, his simple meal became a gift of comfort. Before we said goodbye, he handed me his own homemade waffle. It was so unexpectedly delicious that I thought it might even rival the best I had tasted in Europe. That sweetness carried me forward on the road.
Crossing the Golden Bridge
Not long after, a great golden bridge came into view—the Tsubasa Bridge, built with cooperation between Japan and Cambodia, stretching across the Mekong River. For cars it may not be difficult, but pulling a bicycle and trailer uphill was exhausting. It took nearly ten minutes just to reach the top. From there, the view of the Mekong was breathtaking, though heavy rain clouds were gathering.
Battling Rain and Fatigue
The wind shifted, carrying that distinct scent that warns of tropical rain. My instincts told me the downpour was near. Sure enough, rain soon poured down, and I took refuge at a roadside food stall. A steaming bowl of noodles gave warmth to my tired body. Later, I picked up an energy drink—a lucky choice this time, fizzy and refreshing like a proper Red Bull. Not all energy drinks here are carbonated, and when you get one without bubbles, it feels like a cruel trick.
By then, I had already cycled more than 90 kilometers. Every part of my body ached, but small comforts—a bowl of noodles, a cold drink—helped me push forward.
A Taste of Bread and the Last Push
Near Phnom Penh, I reached a busy town where I saw something rare in my Southeast Asian journey: bread. Sweet bread. After endless days of rice and noodles, the simple taste of bread filled me with relief. With new energy, I counted down the final kilometers: ten, then seven, then one.
Arrival in Phnom Penh
At last, Phnom Penh unfolded before my eyes. After countless turns of the pedals, we had made it. At our Airbnb, the owner welcomed us with a cold beer. The taste was pure joy—the bubbles seemed to wash away the exhaustion from my body. A bed, a hairdryer, even a soft blanket—small things that now felt like luxury.
That evening, we celebrated our arrival. We wandered through the night market, savored grilled meat, strolled along the riverside, and soaked in the vibrant night streets of the capital. For the first time in days, I could rest fully, knowing I had arrived in Cambodia’s largest city.
