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The picture for this blog is a reflection on how i have been relaxing the past week. Since my last update on monday, i have enjoyed chilling out on Rabbit Island for two nights and doing the same at a hostel named Bodhi Villa in Kampot for a further three.
Rabbit island wasn't quite 'paradise' but it was cheap and relaxing. I spent the days swimming in the shallow clear water the surrounds the island, and reading my book. I also had my first full body message which cost a mere $6! We also took the time to walk around the island and i felt like i was living the life of Richard who is a character in the movie "The Beach". Now i guess not many of you have heard of the beach but it is about a guy who travels in search of something different. He is told about a very special island and he has an amazing, if not disturbing story to tell (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0163978/). Its a great movie which inspired me to travel here in SEA and i can't wait to get to Thailand now. I also enjoyed swimming at night with phosphorusescent algae that glow when you shake them about as you swim. The first night was not so impressive as the moon was out but the following night made up for it! You could watch entire bodies of people glow as they swam in the water and the best thing to do was to swim underwater with your eyes open. It was like being in space or playing space invaders. The darkness and silence surrounding me made me feel isolated and nervous at first but as I swam through the mist of green glowing algae I couldn't help but feel that this was a very special moment on my trip. It reminded me of a scene in the movie and i will always remember the magic feeling i had.
The following day we made our way to a hostel we had been recommended by some other travelers we had met on the island. Bodhi Villa was regarded highly and it did not dissapoint. As we arrived and tried to check in they notified us that they were fully booked for the next couple of nights. The weekends are popular on the coast and this hostel has live music every friday which attracts many people. After careful diliberation and negiotiation with the staff and other friends already staying there, they made space for us in attics and on varanders. I slept on a sofa in an attic directly above the bar that no one else knew about for three nights for $2.5 a night, not bad i thought considering they were turning people away by the tuc tuc load! I quickly settled in and met a lot of like minded people. The owner of the hostel is a crazy Ozzy who moved to Cambodia with his wife after enjoying traveling here. He has been flying planes in the outback herding thousands of cattled and had some great sotries. One of those people who attracts many other people because of his personaility, and there are people who stay in this place for months. Without many things to do around here, its incrediable how a hostel and the people in it are more important than the country to some, but after three nights i can now understand why.
Oh! and, i met a girl called Nichola here who lived with my best friend from school in Southampton. After a short while and a couple of questions we reflected on how small the world is, as we worked out we had even met a couple of times, but only for 5 minutes or so.
During my stay at Bodhi, I enjoyed a day tour up to an abandoned French resort in a national park here near kampot. I joined 20 other people, some old, some young and some families. I enjoyed the mystery of the empty buildings that had a ery and enchanting atmosphere. I could imagine the wealthy people playing in the casino and dancing in the ball room and i felt like i was in a horror movie. Expecting to see ghosts around every corner as i walked around the place, i couldn't believe there was ever any need for one hotel, one restaurant and one church at the top of a jungle covered 1000m mountain. It was very bizzare but the tour guide was very good at explainging its history. After fighting in two wars and wistness to many killings (even by his own hands) he was the best english speaking tour guide i had ever met.
Traveling by bus to sihanoukville today made me miss Bodhi Villa. Its busy, noisy and crowded here with the reputation of being a party town. I have already met an englishman working in this interenet cafe because i guess he needs the money after blowing it all on booze!? I guess i'll only be here for a couple of nights then before i make a move for Thailand.
love to all :-) X
- comments
Dad & Mum Wow!! that sounds my kind of Island, probably too hot for Dad. Did the massage help your back ache? You mention 'we' a couple of times, are you travelling with someone? You seem to be really getting into the groove of travelling now, and having fun. Look forward to the pics. Don & Margaret send their love and are enjoying the print-outs!! Take care, Lots of love M & D x x