Up early yesterday to catch my bus to Kampot which is east of Sihanouville. Back on my own, only for the one night though. Enquired at first about getting a tuk tuk there (must still think I'm with Craig haha) but at $50 I passed and opted for a bus for $6. Only took two hours and the roads were fairly decent. Got dropped off in the town and immediately fall in love, I can't explain why really, just the feel of the place, it has a lot of French influence. I read before coming that you don't really come to do things here, but instead just sit here and take it in. I totally understand that now. Wish I had longer than just one night. Got a tuk tuk to where I'm staying, recommended by Sarah from when she came here, Samon's Village. Totally perfect, just what I envisioned a 'travelling' experience to be like. Set on the Kampot River, I'm staying in a raised little beautifully made hut, with my own patio, complete with a hammock looking over the fields.
Headed to the bar, which is right on the river, well half the bar is over the river, you can see it flowing under you through the cracks in the floor. Ordered my standard shandy and sat and just enjoyed the view, the soft breeze and listening to the tiny trickle of water and some Cambodian conversation. Thought about how much I would love my family to be there to share just how utterly beautiful it was. Thinking about how perfect this past year has been, in that moment I felt completely content.
Was going to take a short trip to kep, but one of the guys (Tobby) who works at Samon's said for how long I've got here, I just just explore Kampot. Tobby and another guy who works there (Drew) said they were just about to go out the this Buddhist pagoda and invited me to join. So naturally I jump on the back of this strangers bike and off we went. The pagoda was only small but it was set in breathtaking scenery (the photo attached to this blog). Had a walk around and ended up spending a couple of hours with a monk who took us round and was telling us all about Buddhism and Cambodia.
So turns out Drew teaches English here too. The kids go to school 9-5 six days a week, but then a few days a week come to his class in the evening to learn more English. They were learning about countries at the moment so he invited me to be his guest speaker. I went and answered loads of their questions and helped them practice conversations in English. It was a wonderful two hours and the kids were so friendly. Went back to my hut after that to spend the evening in my hammock and get an early night.
Got up this morning and had a shower in my outside bathroom where I can just see the river from. The shower was a hosepipe with a cocoanut on the end with loads of little holes in, very clever and did the job.
I hired a bicycle out for the last few hours I had here. Wasn't really sure where I was going but I just hit the road. Nice straight, flat road set in green fields, palm trees and mountains. Literally felt like I was in a scene out of the film Eat Pray Love. Took some dirt tracks and went through a little village. Cambodians are so friendly, the amount of people who smiled and said hello to me was crazy. One girl even rode her bike next to mine and was chatting to me in broken English.
Headed back into the town and spent time walking the streets, stopping for drinks and some lunch. But finally finishing by walking along the river and heading back to the guesthouse. It's been a wonderful two days. Kampot really is beautiful, it's quite chilled and I hope that doesn't change, as I can see myself coming back here again during a mid life crisis or something haha.
Back to Sihanoukville now for some New Year's Eve partying :).
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