Backpacking Southern Cambodia 10/41: Ton Sleng Room by Room

Backpacking Southern Cambodia 10/41: Ton Sleng Room by Room

This time, mr.hotsia had the chance to travel into southern Cambodia. My intended destination was “Ton Sleng,” a place locals speak of with pride for its tranquility and simple village lifestyle. Ton Sleng is a small village not as famous as Cambodia’s main cities, but for me, it is a destination that answers many questions about life and true travel.

Reaching Ton Sleng is not easy because there is no direct public bus service. You must transfer several times from Ta Kaew Province, a province I have passed through and written about inBackpacking Southern Cambodia 7/41From Ta Kaew town, I took a motorbike taxi across a dirt road that clearly reflects rural life.

Ton Sleng does not have paved roads like big cities but red dirt roads, some washed by rain into sticky mud. I walked through light rain carrying a large backpack with essentials for an overnight stay in this small village.

Accommodation in Ton Sleng: Room by Room, Night by Night

The homestay I chose in Ton Sleng was a traditional Khmer wooden house with a thatched roof, renting rooms one at a time. It wasn’t luxurious but full of warmth and the peacefulness of surrounding nature. Each house had only a few rooms, allowing me to experience privacy and the friendliness of the host fully.

At night, the sound of crickets and wind rustling leaves became a gentle melody that helped me sleep peacefully. I shared my travel stories with the host and exchanged tales about the local lifestyle and traditions.

Local Lifestyle and Food

Morning in Ton Sleng began with soft sunlight filtering through wooden house curtains. I walked to the small village market, the community’s life center. The market was not large but full of fresh produce from gardens and rivers, such as local vegetables, sticky rice, fresh river fish, and seasonal fruits.

mr.hotsia did not miss trying the local breakfast, mostly hot rice porridge similar to what I had in Svay Rieng Province.Grilled Beef Rice Porridge from Svay Rieng ProvinceHowever, the taste and preparation methods vary slightly by region. I spoke with the rice porridge vendor in the local language I have been practicing, which gave me a warm feeling as if eating at a Khmer relative’s home.

Lunch and dinner in Ton Sleng usually featured freshly caught fish from the nearby Mekong River and fresh vegetables grown in backyard gardens. I tried crispy fried fish topped with Khmer-style sweet and sour sauce, a unique flavor, and fresh vegetables eaten with spicy Khmer chili paste.

Strolling, Exploring, and Learning

After eating, mr.hotsia spent the afternoon exploring the village and surrounding areas of Ton Sleng. I saw the simple lifestyle of villagers who firmly preserve traditional customs. Houses along the river had people rowing boats to fish, some weaving rattan crafts, and children playing joyfully.

If anyone is interested in this way of life, mr.hotsia recommends experiencing it firsthand to see the difference from the image of Cambodia’s big cities like Phnom Penh or Kampot, which I have written about in other articles.Backpacking Southern Cambodia 13/41: Relaxing with Smoothies and Riverside Food in Kampot ProvinceandBackpacking Southern Cambodia 17/41: Kampot Market, Large and Affordable Oysters, Abundant Seafood Here

Summary of Ton Sleng

For me, Ton Sleng is not just a destination but a lesson showing that true travel is about deeply experiencing and learning the local way of life, not just taking photos or checking in at famous tourist spots.

If you are ready to leave the usual paths and open your heart to profound experiences, I recommend traveling to Ton Sleng yourself. You will discover that “room by room” here holds many stories waiting to be uncovered.

For those interested in in-depth travel stories in Cambodia, follow my website mr.hotsia and don’t forget to watch the videosBackpacking Southern Cambodia 10/41: Ton Sleng Room by Roomto experience the real atmosphere from the journey.