Serendipity

After our time in Phnom Penh, Theresa headed back home to Denver and Jessie and James went to the beaches of Kampot.  After looking at a map of the southern Cambodian beach area to determine my next course of action, I spotted Serendipity Beach.  “Serendipity” is one of my favorite words – for the sound and look of it, as well as the meaning of it…”the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.”  Of course, I had to go! To seal the deal, I noticed there was a bar at Serendipity called “Kerfuffle” – another one of my favorite words!  🙂 It was decided then; Serendipity Beach for the next few days.

I found a hostel called Onederz, and checked in for a few days.  One of the cleanest and quietest hostels yet!  It was a few blocks from the beach, also known as Ochheuteal Beach, and I headed out for a bit of exploring.

On the dock, I signed up for an all day, 3-island snorkeling tour for the next day that included lunch for the ridiculous price of $15.

Enjoyed lunch on the beach and some sunshine and relaxation with the most delicious French fries and a couple of cold ”imports”, Corona with lime.  Ahhhhhh.  Yes.  A welcome relief from the busy Phnom Penh and the atrocities of war.

It’s always good to have goals – my goal was to finish a couple of beers and “The Alchemist” (thank you Brendan!  I will re-read this throughout my travels, as it is filled with wisdom and grace, both of which I can use!)

The next morning I headed to the pier to enjoy some boat time.  We headed out to snorkel the coral reefs surrounding the small islands off the coast.  The reefs contained brain coral, nudibranches, puffer fish and schools of colorful fish.

A simple lunch on the beach cooked by the boat captain, an hour of sun worship, a stop at a cliff and an invitation to jump or dive off the top (no, thank you!) and we eventually headed back to town.

I spent the next two days at Otres Beach, a 15 minute ride from the hostel.  For $5, the hostel called for a scooter to drop me off for the day and retrieve me when we agreed upon a time.  Perfect!  Bought some cheesy ankle bracelets, got a massage on the beach and just chilled.  It was so nice not to rush from place to place and just enjoy the sun, the sand, the casuarina trees and the beautiful warm waters of the Bay of Thailand.

Some of the silly, interesting, different things I’m noticing in Southeast Asia, Cambodia in particular:

* flip flops with socks.

* Food.  Everywhere.  Tamarinds.  Bananas. Sausages. Chickens. Grilled food. Sticky buns. Shaved ice. Sugar cane extraction machines.  Fried chicken feet.  Noodle soup.  Pancakes.

* Roadside stands selling scooter petrol in Fanta and Pepsi bottles.

* Sweeping. These people sweep.  A lot.

* Roadside and front yard spirit houses.  These structures are miniature temple-like buildings that contain offerings from the family such as rice, flowers, incense and coconut.  It’s an animistic practice to honor the spirits of rivers, trees, good weather and nature.

* Fresh-faced school children in their clean white blouses and navy skirts and trousers on scooters, bikes and on foot heading to and from school.  Smiling.  Always smiling, waving and shouting “hellloooooo!”

* Tuk tuk drivers queued up together in a pack, sometimes sleeping in their hammock, or jostling and shouting  for their next fare.

* Skinny, bony, hump-backed white cows roaming the streets, munching grass on the roadside, or being led by a single rope held by a wizened old villager.

* Shops everywhere selling single-use packets of shampoo and conditioner.  Pringles.  Bicycle tires wrapped in shiny, colorful foil.  Red Bull.  Chicken-flavored crackers.

Cambodia, you have been amazing!  I had no expectations of what you would offer and you have been warm, inviting, friendly, historical, war-torn, resilient, charming, extra-helpful, majestic, welcoming and delicious.  Thank you for hosting me in your beautiful country.  I enjoyed the scenery, the many waterfalls, your temples, Angkor Wat, the history, the food, and most of all, your people.

Onward to Vietnam.  Next stop, Ho Chi Minh City, FKA Saigon.

Uncover what you long for and you will discover who you are.            –    Phil Cousineau