Torn Slippers: Sugarcane drink with a twist of lime in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Woke up at 6am again. Explored the morning market nearby. The best way to know what the locals eat is to visit the market! They sold fresh fish (by fresh I mean, those that are still ALIVE), a huge array of vegetables and fruits, fresh frogs – we were horrified to see one skinned and beheaded frog leap out of the container!

We had breakfast in the market. Rice with pork and pickled vegetables and it was GOOD. We had difficulty opening the mineral water bottle and the lady at the stall offered to open it for us using her knife. That’s how hospitable the Cambodians are!

We were surprised to find hair salons and beauty salons in one section of the market.

We took a tuk tuk to the Russian Market for some last minute souvenir shopping for friends and family back home. Then we took the same tuk tuk to Boengkak Lake where most of the backpackers lodges are located. Quaint place. On the way there, spotted a local carrying his sleeping child while riding the motorbike. Gestured to him requesting permission to take a photo of him and his kid, and smiled and nodded his approval. Nice of him, yeah?

A mosque at the Boengkak Lake

Took the same tuk tuk back to the hotel.

At 4pm, we went downstairs and hung around the area next to the Tonle Sap river. The place was bustling with locals, tourists and street vendors. That was when we had our first sip of the sugarcane drink with a twist of lime! Ahhhh…I cannot describe the taste. You’ve just got to try one on your own!

There was so much of food to sample – cooked snails, chicken wings and bishop's nose, sugarcane sticks, a local salad, snacks…etc.