TJ 6

My last day in Cambodia is slowly coming to an end. It is a reminder of the fact that this entire journey, which has lasted over one year and three months already, is about to reach its conclusion. I know I haven't written anything in the blog for a very long time (since Singapore), but it is only a sign of how busy I've been getting to know Indochina and its people (and sitting on buses...).

I will have to leave telling you about Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia until I get back home and have more time. There will be pictures then too.

I spent my last days in Cambodia on an island (Koh Russei, also called Bamboo Island) an hour's boat ride from Sihanoukville, the largest city on the Cambodian coast. Whereas Sihanoukville and its beaches were a disappointment, the island offered everything I wanted.

Fanned by cooling puffs of air from the sea, I lie in my hammock and read a book while the sun sets over the azure ocean.

The bungalow resort (Koh Ru) where I stayed is probably the closest you can get to what the southern Thai islands used to be before the crowds arrived. There were no touts, no hassle, no disturbing elements. Just an 800 metre long beach on the sunset side of the island, beautiful green-blue water, about a dozen bungalows and a big dorm house (all made of wood and straw), a bar/restaurant and about 30 laid-back, friendly, mostly young people. Oh, and hammocks. I shouldn't forget about the hammocks. Or the book exchange shelf. Or the sunset fishing trips.

These are the ingredients of success. Not surprising, quite a few of the people had been there for weeks. Some had only planned to stay a few nights, but never got around to leave. That's what the lazy atmosphere did to you. Your only worry was "what should I eat next?".

I found myself wishing I had arrived a few days earlier, as three nights seemed way too short, but such is life.

You just don't see sunsets like these back home.

Tomorrow I'm heading towards Thailand again. My flight from Bangkok leaves on Sunday morning. I'm going to Copenhagen for five days to volunteer for Greenpeace during the COP15 United Nations climate negotiations (Thanks Emma!). I look very much forward to it, and to get back home and see all of you guys.

TJ 6...