Pinch me perfect long weekend
This long weekend felt like an absolute dream, like one of those pinch me moments because everything just went so perfectly.
On Wednesday morning the three of us ( Hannah, Camille and I ) were fully prepared to catch the local bus from Kampong Speu to Kampot. At around 7am , we made our way to highway 41 in hope that we would be able to flag a bus down... We stood on the side of the road with our trusty "Kampot" sign (hitch hikers 101) in the beating sun thinking of all the travel alternatives ... Maybe take a four hour Tuk Tuk ride? Jump on the back of a strangers motorbike? We stood there waiting for about 30 minutes... Right then we decided that if nothing came in five minutes , we would go to Phnom Penh and get a bus from there. Exactly five minutes later , a Cambodian man pulled up in his 4x4 Lexus and asked us where we were headed and he said he was going in the same direction. His wife was in the car and John ( who stood waiting with us the entire time) had taken his registration.
The drive to Kampot only ended taking us two hours and it would have been atleast four hours on the bus. We arrived at Samon's Village at 10am. This wonderful man and his wife drove us to the door of our accommodation and would not take any money. Thank you Mr Chuk Chuk for your kindness. This is just proof that there are good people and Cambodia has them in spades.
Still trying to get over the amazing thing that had happened , we checked in and by a stroke of luck our accommodation was ready four hours before check in opened. Tree houses overlooking the river. It felt like an oasis. We enjoyed some spring rolls for lunch ( which may have been too healthy for us) and spent the afternoon swimming in the river. So serene. After that we took a walk to a spa that was only about 300m away and had a smoothie. We also had a look at their yoga and treatment prices and planned to do some yoga the next day.
That evening , our friends who had been volunteers at NHCC arrived and we enjoyed a delicious dinner together.
On Thursday we woke up early to watch the sunrise and had a delicious breakfast. Pancakes ( which Hannah ended up sharing with Garfield). We went for a yoga class shortly after which was wonderful and the backdrop was just stunning. After our yoga class, Camille and I enjoyed a mango smoothie.
We then headed back to Samon's village for some lunch and then went for a swim in the river and a kayak ( which is one of my favourite experiences that I've had since I've been traveling). Camille and I loved every minute.
Shortly after our kayaking adventure, we got on the mopeds and made our way to Kep. The drive was about 30 minutes and Hannah was such a champ. Once in Kep, we had a walk on the beach and saw a beautiful sunset while eating coconut ice cream from an ice cream truck ( Well not Hannah.. She doesn't like coconut.. I know .. weird).
We ended up having dinner at 'The Magic Crab' and the crab sure was magical.
On the morning of our last day in Kampot, Hannah and I woke up to watch the sunrise again and it was just beautiful. We enjoyed our last moments by the river before the mini van collected us to take us to another mini van. The trip to Phnom Penh was bumpy. Cambodians are not the safest drivers but once you get past that , you'll be fine. Our driver ended up hitting a man's motorbike and his side mirror came off but what a champ ... He was holding his mirror as he drove.
We got to Phnom Penh at around 2.30 and made our way to The Asian Teahouse which is where Hannah and I were staying for the night. It was beautiful and extremely luxurious. We enjoyed some tea and chicken satay ( which I nearly choked on ) in our robes of course.
That night we headed to Anise with our friends and also met Mike and Patrick there. These are the moments that I treasure and will always remember. Hannah , Mike and I have formed this incredible bond and the laughs that we share are the type that make you cry or make your stomach hurt. I am very grateful for these two special people.
That evening back at our hotel , Hannah and I had a very special heart to heart (and had a good cry) and only ended up going to bed around midnight. Very late for Cambodia.
On Saturday morning we woke up and had a delicious buffet breakfast before heading back to the village.
Now back in the village, I have been having a headache for the past four days but I am so very grateful that this is my life right now with these lovely people and in this beautiful place. I can't wait for all that is still to come.