Setting Out from Phnom Penh
On September 7th, I finally left Phnom Penh after extending my stay far beyond what I first planned. Originally, I thought two or three days would be enough, but in the end, I stayed longer. I realized that it takes at least four days to truly understand the shape and feeling of a city on the surface. And if one wishes to understand its deeper essence, days are never enough—perhaps years are required.
At my usual café, I said goodbye, then began the ride. The weather was perfect, and the road conditions were excellent. My destination was Skun, a town I had heard was easy to reach by a wide, straight road. Along the way, I passed by newly popular "Borei" houses—grand buildings admired by young couples, their palatial look reflecting the rising land values around them.
Small Encounters Along the Road
Because I started late, the heat caught me early. Rest became essential. Children gathered where I paused, and I handed out anime stickers. Their mother offered me water in return. The boys were strong-willed, almost too much, yet I found it amusing and promising for their future. Their little sister insisted on her share as well, which led to a sibling quarrel. I had to step in and help divide the stickers fairly.
I smiled when I saw Tokyo Revengers and Detective Conan stickers being placed on bikes. Even here, far from Japan, these characters sparked delight and creativity.
Arrival in Skun
Finally, I reached the town. My guesthouse stood out in one overwhelming color: pink. The entire building, inside and out, was painted pink—even the room I stayed in. Strangely, bicycles were allowed indoors while motorbikes were not. I didn't understand the reason, but I accepted it.
Before resting, I visited Skun's famous "Spider Market." The walk was short, though a local family insisted I ride on the back of their son's motorbike. Their kindness warmed me, even if the ride was hardly necessary.
At the market, I held a spider in my hand. It looked almost cute—like a cousin of the tarantula. I learned these spiders are dug out from the ground before being cooked and sold.
Tasting Insects
I bought a small selection of insects for dinner. The cricket was surprisingly tasty, no different from a common snack. The spider tasted like chicken, while another unfamiliar insect turned out to be the most delicious of all. To my surprise, insect food was far more edible—and enjoyable—than I had imagined.
Even going to the restroom was a lesson. I had to pay a small fee, which at first felt like being overcharged. But the toilet was immaculately clean, and I realized the money was used to maintain that standard. It made me appreciate how even basic services require care and effort in many parts of the world.
Ending the Day
On my way back, I met the same young man who had offered me a ride earlier. This time too, he insisted on helping me. His offer was firm yet rooted in kindness, and I felt no discomfort in accepting.
That night, I returned to my pink room and began my meal. After a shower and finishing some work, I prepared for sleep—though it took me a while to find the hidden light switch behind the bed. Another small reminder: even simple things in travel can turn into small adventures.
