KRATIE, CAMBODIA – for the first time in a long time, I’ve travelled to a town that is not familiar to me. This has resulted in the traveller feeling surrounding me once more. It’s a sensation I didn’t even realise I missed.

As much as I love all the places I’ve been to in Cambodia, it’s refreshing to arrive in a new town without knowing too much about it.

My bus ride from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham was not a lot of fun due to a massive overindulgence of Crown Beer the night before (self-inflicted, no sympathy for the devil, etc., but to refuse the hospitality of Sophol and his friends would’ve been impolite) and a very crowded share taxi from Kampong Cham. Nine people in a Camry does not make for a comfortable trip. Fortunately, it didn’t take as long as I thought it would.

Duly ensconced in a guesthouse across from the market, I fuelled up on one of the tastiest full English breakfasts I’d ever had (even though it was about four in the arvo), had a quick shower and then strolled about town with my camera.

Kratie sits on the eastern bank of the Mekong River. I figured that I’d be able to get some good sunset shots over the water.

This is a lovely peaceful town, very low-key, with a few foreigners. But Siem Reap it definitely ain’t. This was illustrated by the fact that I’ve been able to go for a walk around town twice and not once was I asked for a tuktuk/moto ride. I can see myself spending quite a bit of time here, but alas, it will have to be later. The clock is ticking and I have to reluctantly be moving on.