Unfortunately Jordi (squatting at the front) on the ride home got into an accident. Literally 5 minutes down the rode from home, a dog darted out onto the rode and into his motor bike, swerving with the dog he fell off and cut open his already cut open elbow (from previously infected bites). Very luckily he was the only one opposed to taking passengers because he didn’t want to be responsible for anything happening to anyone cause things could have been a lot worse. A few stitches and $85 dollars later and he escaped very well off for something that could have gone terribly wrong. A very typical tourist in Asia situation, but all in all a fantastic day of exploring with the gang!

Not wearing appropriate shoes, we all trekked through the forest and mud to get to these ginormous waterfalls. Very thankful for the security guard that showed us the way and for being out photographer.

Up,up and up we rode and the further we got,the colder it got and then suddenly we were up in the clouds. The further on we went the more if became like a horror film, the clouds made the bikes in front disappear for a whole and then reappear. We reached the top and suddenly we were in a strange “village” and their was a casino/ hotel perched on the hill in amongst the clouds (probably the Russians). It was absolutely freezing and our petrol supplies were running low. After finding fuel, we were keen to leave the summit as fast as possible, and my hands were almost numb.

Vanessa realising for the last hour she has been wearing her helmet the wrong way!

The ride up the mountain was filled with incredibly luscious scenery and waterfalls flowing roadside.

(Minus myself) we sported bandanas and all.

When I arrived yesterday our dorm room had me and another person, later that night these wonderful people packed it out completely. They are a group of British people and a token Canadian, all travelling alone or in pairs who at different points in South East Asia have met and the group has expanded, creating their own little family. They invited me along to their big dinner last night ( they had just had thousands of dollars worth of money and valuables stolen on Koh Rong island off Siahnoukville and were all in need or some cheering up) and just like that Kampot became fabulous!

River front lounging…. I also forgot to mention. On the bus here I met this awesome couple, I mainly spoke to the girl (who’s name I already forget) for the entire 2 hour trip as we were crammed up against each other in the mini van carting an illegal amount of people. She is Brazilian and he is Polish and they met in London, she is 30 and he is 38 and they have just decided to up and leave and travel the world, with not a single plan or ounce of research behind them. They’ve been travelling for 3 months now, and they figured they would do this and decide where in the world they want to live and settle down eventually, or maybe start a business, or they don’t know. They’re headed for Australia later to make some money and keep going, and it was just so cool to hear there story and that this is what they’ve decided to do, and they had some crazy stories!

I saw this place on one of the people I met in Europe’s photo stream two days ago. I was super down about all these bites and the weather making what I had hoped to be an amazing week of sunshine an absolute nightmare. Starting to feel very homesick, I decided I needed to keep moving, and when I saw and looked into this place it was exactly what I needed. After almost having my rain jacket lost at the laundromat (not my fault, and entirely a necessary thing right now!) and the mini van breaking down multiple times on the trip here, I decided Sihanoukville this time for me is cursed. I arrived in Kampot and all my worries are gone again. It’s like a rainforest version of Pursat. A small town, barely any cars, lots of bikes and then this hostel. WOW! Where do I start, it’s tropical paradise for 3 dollars a night. If I had company I’d be staying in either their floating bungalow (yes floating on the river) or roof top bungalow which boasts amazing sunrises. The bar is suspended out over the water, and you just take a step down onto a platform and jump in. Friday nights are famous around here for all the people working in Cambodia to come, party, listen to live music and chill out at the bar here (they even have a music recording studio!) An absolute gem of a find. If you need me I’ll be living off coconuts and this salad for the next who knows…