I got up at 6am, it was raining a little, but wasn’t too bad and actually quite nice when I went to the bathroom. The outdoor bathroom. But this time with an actual shower and proper sinks without baby frogs.

After a swim and a bit of snorkling I wanted to check if there is a boat leaving back to the mainland at 9am (as I read on some signs). It turns out: for the return ticket that I got, the company doesn‘t stop on this beach. But I needed to get on some boat in the morning because I need to get the (one and only) train at 2pm to go to Kampot. I planned to stay there for 1 day and then take the plane to Chiang Mai from Phnom Penh the day after. And then after 5 days, take the sleeper train and meet up with my parents on the 9th of February in Bangkok. I know - a little rushed. I had two options: staying longer on the islands and explore Kampot and more of Cambodia’s mainland OR visit Chiang Mai. Sure, could also go to Chiang Mai later, I was thinking a lot about it, but I felt like that’s my next place, so now I was committed to it.

I found another boat company with a boat leaving at 9:45 and was lucky they had a seat. I got an avocado shake and observed my surroundings until departure. There was a supplier boat and many people bringing things on wagons every couple of minutes. And there was one woman in the sea just walking on the spot and sometimes turning 90 or 180 degrees. This went on for probably 10min until a friend joined her. I can‘t describe it, why this amused me so much but I also admire that woman for doing her thing and would have loved to join her. But I had to stay with my big backpack and stinky towel that put around my backpack to dry.

I don’t like Sihanoukville, I don’t know what it is, but I was happy to leave. I found a girl that took my unused return ticket and then just walked to the train station and waited there for 2h.

When I arrived in Kampot, I was overwhelmed. I fell asleep in the train, and then everyone was moving and then what felt like 20 TukTuk drivers where asking me at the same time if I need a ride. I declined ordered a grab (online taxi app) because I didn‘t feel comfortable. In the city I found a nice place to eat, had some traditional Khmer food and made friends with an old finish sailor, who‘s eyes looked very wise and as if he‘s seen a lot. Obv he’s seen a lot. He even told me he saw a lot of the world and telling me other stories. But I mean more like life-wise. Anyway, when he was wished me a good life in the end, I could feel the words v deeply. It felt like he was saying it from a very honest place.

Tonight I sleep in a little hut, a bit further out of the city. It’s kind of a camping site and I really like the atmosphere. Tomorrow I am thinking about exploring the national parks with a scooter (v slowly), it will be a long day. And I am very tired. Even though it’s not even 9pm. But I will go to sleep. Good night!