Eating tarantulas in Skun, Cambodia

While driving back from Rattanakiri, Stung Treng and Kratie, Cambodia, we stopped in the sleepy town of Skun. Skun is known for only one thing: tarantulas! Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods went to Skun for his show to try the tarantulas and show how they are hunted and prepared in Khmer cuisine.

Naturally, I had to try one! I also got the chance to hold a live tarantula and was laughed at by all the tiny Khmer women for wanting a photo of it.

Bon Om Touk- Water Festival and subsequent stampede

This weekend was the water festival in Phnom Penh! It breaks my heart to say that it ended tragically, with more than 350 people dying in a stampede on a bridge going to Diamond Island, which is not far from my apartment. It is such a tragedy. The city doesnt have the infrastructure for the influx of people that the Water Festival brings, nor does the city do enough to plan in advance by way of toilets or safety precautions. I hope something is learned from this before next year but it is doubtful. The government has already said no one is at fault and no one will be punished because it was an accident. Many early reports suggested people died from electrocution after police sprayed them with water hoses on a bridge with electric cords used for the lighting. Many more were trampled and some jumped off the bridge and died in the water below. Devastating.

This is even more horrible because, otherwise, it was a beautiful event and such a proud moment for Cambodia and especially Phnom Penh. I was having a great time watching the dragon boat races, seeing all the Khmer people from the provinces flood the city, and even seeing the King attend the races.

The morning after the stampede on diamond island, people visit to pay respect and make offerings.

People watch the bridge where the stampede took place as police investigate. There are still shoes and clothes left everywhere.