Backpacking Southern Cambodia 21/41: Giant Stingray at Kampot Morning Seafood Market, Buying Kampot Pepper, Sending Regards

Backpacking Southern Cambodia 21/41: Giant Stingray at Kampot Morning Seafood Market, Buying Kampot Pepper, Sending Regards

When talking about Kampot Province in Cambodia, many may know it as a peaceful town that is not as busy as Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville. But for me, mr.hotsia, Kampot is a city with a unique charm that still preserves the traditional lifestyle of Southern Cambodians very well. The morning market is one of the destinations I never miss when visiting here.

That morning, I started walking from my accommodation in downtown Kampot, intending to experience the atmosphere of the famous fresh seafood market located by the Kampot River, or as locals simply call it, the CHHOU River. This market opens early at around 5-6 AM. If you see this market yourself, you will understand why Kampot is special. Here, not only fresh seafood is available, but also rare aquatic animals like large stingrays swimming in fresh water tanks that villagers have just caught.

Kampot's fresh seafood market is like the heart of a small community that still lives simply. People here are familiar with tourists like me, so I never felt out of place even though my Khmer is limited. Many locals speak some Thai, including the tuk-tuk driver I hired to take me to the market, which made traveling much easier.

Walking past neatly arranged fresh fish stalls, you will smell the sea mixed with a faint scent of mud, accompanied by the chatter of vendors and buyers. I saw large stingrays placed in big water tanks, some as long as I am. Locals believe stingrays are lucky animals and sacred to the community. Personally, I wanted to keep this memory in my heart rather than take one home.

After exploring the fish market, I strolled to the stall selling Kampot black pepper, another distinctive product of this province.Kampot Black PepperIt has a long-standing reputation and is exported to many countries. The aroma and intense flavor of Kampot black pepper are clearly different from others. I tasted it and bought some as souvenirs for my friends in Thailand.

Kampot black pepper is not only used to enhance food flavor but is also part of the Southern Khmer eating culture. I have seen rice porridge stalls at Kampot night markets with bottles of black pepper on the tables for customers to add as they like. This makes the food taste even richer and more fragrant. For those interested in learning more about Kampot black pepper and local cuisine, you can read the details inNight Market Restaurant Durian Shakethat I have previously written about.

After enjoying the market walk, I strolled around Kampot's old town, which remains peaceful and pure as ever. The old buildings blend French architecture with contemporary Khmer style, creating a warm and charming atmosphere beyond my expectations. I also had the chance to talk with locals who said mornings are the best time to truly experience community life here.

For travelers who love tranquility and local lifestyles, Kampot is a city you should not miss. Besides the fresh seafood market and black pepper, there are beautiful natural attractions such asBokor MountainandPhnom Chhnork Cavewhich are not far from the city for you to explore.

If you want to experience the real life of Southern Cambodians, try walking through Kampot's morning market with mr.hotsia once. You will realize that the joy of travel is not in luxury but in connecting with people and their true way of life.

Don't forget to follow my travel stories in upcoming episodes. If you want to see a detailed view of the morning seafood market, you can watchBackpacking Southern Cambodia 21/41: Giant Stingray at Kampot Morning Seafood Marketwhich I personally recorded.