I have spent five weeks in Sihanoukville; the longest I have spent in one place during all of my travels. It has been a relief to unpack, find comfort in a regular bed, rest in a room that I can decorate with the children's paintings, and occasionally prepare my own meals; an act that feeds my soul. I have immensely enjoyed settling into the town, getting to know locals as friends, and becoming familiar with the daily rhythm of this place.
My last week was spent celebrating the Khmer New Year, a time where everyone travels to their hometown provinces to congregate with family and friends amongst chaotic festivities of play, games, and the notorious baby powder and water balloon (or bucket) fights. CCPP closed for the week after a fantastic celebration with the kids, filled with dancing, screaming, laughter, wetness, powder covering you, and an unbelievable mess at the end. It was definitely an eventful way to say goodbye.
Before some of the volunteers ventured on little excursions for the week, we all piled into a boat and headed to Bamboo Island for the clear turquoise water, wooden bungalows, and phosphorescence. At midnight we glided into the warm sea, like mermaids, and swam with the thousand gleaming lights under a reflecting sky of stars. It was so heavenly.....
After days of relaxing, we decided to be proactive and take advantage of your location by going fishing. I have always wanted to catch my own dinner and had unrealistic hopes that someone would catch a barracuda. After hours of fishing off reefs with our Cambodian style gear, we caught three small silvery fish. They were not necessarily dinner worthy but our pride far out sized our catch!
A few dips in the sea sent us on our return towards land but shortly after we set off the sea started boiling with waves, knocking us around, and the ominous purple clouds told us the ride would not be relaxing. In the distance we could see that we were entering a sheet of rain, loud thunder, and numerous bolts of lightening, none of which you appreciate when your on a small wooden boat in the ocean. Frightening to say the least but we made it back to shore and the sand never felt so good!
We spent the night feasting, drinking, and dancing and by the end of the night (or should I say early morning) I was once again dripping wet and covered in powder, celebrating the New Year and my farewell....
