14.12 - Day 334 - Kampot, KHM

Saturday 14th December - Kampot (Day 334)

It’s back to cornflakes in the room at Onederz Hostel but I suspect people are happier with that than running the risk of what I might return with if I’m left to fetch breakfast each morning. 

Getting Seb to leave the hostel is hard because he’s always keen for a game of table football or pool (though the latter mostly involves slinging the balls around by hand) But eventually we get out to explore the Sea Festival. We find a large stage set up on the man-made beach and then several rows of white pointed roof tents a mixture from local handicrafts to banks spruiking accounts to food and drink to Embassy tents for Malaysia and Timor Leste. 

The day had started cloudy and we’re unprepared when the sun bursts through, broaching the uncomfortably hot range. 

We reward ourselves with a visit to Smashed Burgers for….burgers before seeking respite in and by the pool for the afternoon. Though even when we want an air-conditioned break in our room, Seb is still keen to venture back to play table football with any unsuspecting backpackers who happen to be loitering near the table. 

When the sun sets we head back to the stage to see what’s going on, sitting at one of the hundreds of plastic tables laid out for the event. Rolling adverts on the three screens behind the stage entertained Sienna and Seb for a while, but despite their being a healthy crowd nothing eventuates on stage by 7 pm so we leave it, walking with the throngs to the Durian Roundabout - yes a 5 metre high durian in the roundabout where next door a boxing ring has been set up. 

A bout is being introduced, loud music, bright lights for the two 45 kg teenage Kun Khmer boxers. Seb is keen to see it, Sienna is definitely not, but after 60 seconds Seb is suddenly in Sienna’s camp and we bid a hasty exit.