Ok, I understand the title is lacking in context. SO here it is:
I had spent four glorious days exploring ancient temples hidden in the depths of the jungle, watching the hot air balloons rise as the shards of the early morning sun lit up Angkor Wat, and enjoying way too many extra cheap massages. It is an incredible place, with equal parts charming and unpretentious, refined and unbridled, elegant and wild. The extraordinary stories told by the local guides only make you wonder of all the lives, dynasties, extravagance and battles witnessed by these centuries old, crumbling walls.
It was my last night in Siem Reap. Whilst the massages are crazy cheap, and oh so great, they do add up, so in seeking to save some money, I decided to pass on my list of the best places to eat in Siem Reap and go find something on my own. It was in this pursuit I stumbled on a small local place with a cheap orange sign. I would tell you what it was called, but it was in Cambodian and there was no translation. I couldn’t tell you what it was rated on Trip Advisor, because it wasn’t even on Trip Advisor, which should have been my first warning sign.
I’m not sure exactly it was that I ate. I didn’t understand the menu, so I pointed with confidence and went lucky dip. I think it was some sort of fish curry, but a couple of bites in, I knew I was in for an adventure. I should have walked away at that point, but I had invested $1.75 USD in this meal, and I wasn’t about to let it go to waste. (Yes, I worked out the conversion after, which was a poor decision in itself. I saved 35 US cents by eating at a cheap restaurant. I’m not sure what I spent it on. I AM sure, it was not worth it).
The following morning I had scheduled one last trip to the temples to catch the sunrise. There is nothing quite like watching the sun come up over the ancient ruins. It is like you are transported back in time to some bygone era where everything slows down, and a peace transcends the scene. Your senses seem heightened to every breath of wind, every exclamation of the resident monkeys, and every subtle change in the warm, yellow hues rising over the silhouetted outline of the majestic architecture. Every bit worth the early rise.
It was on the return trip with my trusty Tuk Tuk driver, that the previous night’s foolishness really hit me. With every bump and bend, my stomach would lurch and I knew it was coming. By the time I got back to the hostel, I was ready, and I proceeded to empty my guts, repeatedly and with great vigour.
Unfortunately, the plan for the afternoon was to take a bus for the 6 hour drive to the capital Phnom Penh. Not fun on a weak stomach. They had a shuttle that picked me up from the hostel to take me to the depot to get on the main coach. I threw up more than a dozen times while I waited for the shuttle. Upon reaching the depot, I threw up several more times.
The most unforgettable moment was as everyone lined up to board the coach. I waited at the back, knowing that I may be interrupted again. Sure enough, once everyone was on board, I excused myself once more and acquainted myself with the gutter beside the coach. As I opened the hatch, I remember looking up at a busload of folks watching me through the window, with their ‘oh no, you ate at the cheap restaurant with the orange sign’ look on their face. They were not thrilled to be sharing the 6 hour bus ride with this sucker.
By some miracle, and a few things that seemed to help, I managed to hold my guts through the ride, and made it safely to Phnom Penh. I can’t speak to the scientific backing of any of the below tips, but they worked for me, so here goes.
Four tips to survive the day after eating at that terrible restaurant in Siem Reap with the cheap orange sign:
- Ginger chews. I managed to find some at the bus depot. Apparently Ginger helps settle the stomach. A lot of people recommend ginger ale, but I found the chews seemed to help.
- Aloe. Yes, that weird drink with the floaty bits in it. I don’t know why I tried this, but I figured it probably had more helpful ingredients than a bottle of coke. It really settled the stomach.
- One ear plug. So this one is a sea sickness tip (yes, I suffer from that one too – woe is me). It also seemed to help stop me making a mess on the bus. Something to do with centering your gravity or some such scientific speak.
- So I didn’t do this on the Cambodian bus, but my last seasick experience in Puerto Rico, the skipper gave me pure alcohol on a paper towel. I just breathed it in for the hour and it helped a huge amount. The light-headedness also probably helped take my mind off feeling sick… and everything else. Don’t know if it helps with the upset belly but you could always give it a crack.
So, if you are ever silly enough to visit the restaurant with the cheap orange sign, or any other similar establishment that leaves your stomach worse for wear, or maybe just a case of the good ol’ Dehli Belly, give these tips a shot. Let me know if they work, or if you have any other tips you have found work for you.
Forever on Walkabout
