Kampot - Karma Traders
I caught a tuk tuk into town to try and sort out the problem with my $100 USD note. I need to as it is the only cash I currently have. I did go to a cash machine while I was in town and got another $100 USD note. This was just incase I could not cash my other dodgey note. It was the only denomination offered. In a country where most things only cost a few dollars a $100 note is pretty useless. Nobody can change it.
I ask the tuk tuk driver to take me to durian square. I have no idea where it is but I am assuming that there is a durian there. The cost is 5000 KHR Cambodian Riel. That is approx $1.25 USD.
I am slowly coming to grips with the currency here but it is hard when prices are usually offered in USD and KHR. If you pay in USD you usually get change in KHR but sometimes in a mix of both currencies. It is just so hard to keep a track of it.
My tuk tuk driver tries to drop me off … but I see no durian so I argue with him … I know I am the customer from hell.
Anyway we drive again and finally we are at Durian Square and just as I expected there is a durian there.
I wished that I had bothered to get more information because there is 6 roads going off this roundabout and I have no idea where this lady might be who can change my money.
I walk the complete circle looking carefully at every shop and am still none the wiser.
I see a bank so I go in there. They say no but point outside.
There is the Bank of Canada so I try there. They initially say no but then say that it will cost me $2 USD to change. As the initial price I was told at my accommodation was $5 USD I am very happy with $2 and do the deal.
Then I walk around a bit looking for food as I have had no breakfast yet. Nothing looks appealing so I take a tuk tuk back to my accommodation as I know their food is good. The driver wants to charge me 10000 KHR … but I am wise now and know that it should be 5000 KHR. He agrees in the end. I had actually looked on Grab before I left my accommodation and their price was 4600 KHR … so it is good to do some research.
I go to the pool bar and order breakfast. Avocado and poached eggs on sour dough toast. It was so good. I think that the price was about $5 USD … the food is more expensive in general here than in Vietnam. I have to also keep reminding myself that these are USD and not AUD … anyway the food was fantastic.
I just relax for the afternoon and do some writing on my website. I also book new accommodation, closer to town, where I will move to tomorrow.
I also go for an early dinner to the pool bar and this time I order a local dish. I think that it is called Loc Lac. With the addition of Kampot pepper it tastes very good.
