Today, our 9th day into our Big Experience, was our last day in Cambodia – and all of us are tired after the exciting events of the trip so far. The day was filled with relaxing activities all around, with some early sightseeing leading into a laid back afternoon in the town of Kep, perfect for recharging our batteries for our entry into the new unknown land of Laos.
An hour long bus ride out of Kampot took us to the peaks of Bokor mountain range, a location featuring a number of historical French colonial buildings, dating back as far as the late 19th century. First up was the Black Palace, a retreat built for the Khmer king to escape the intense heat of the Cambodian climate, reminding us slightly of the Dandenong’s back home. Stepping out of the bus, the cold refreshing air was a welcome change from the humid air we’ve become accustomed to – it was immediately clear why this place was picked for a holiday retreat. Following our stop there, we travelled a bit further into the mountain range to a short stop at an abandoned French church. The highlight of our adventure into the Bokor mountain range was a derelict, abandoned French casino. We stopped here for lunch, brushing shoulders with the clouds, and took the time out to reflect on our experiences in our journey so far.
The journey so far has been unlike any regular tourist travel. Experiencing a much more in-depth understanding of the Cambodian world has, at times been challenging and sleeping in a different place each night has kept us constantly busy. However, even though we are consistently on the move, we keep a positive outlook as we know the rewards of this special experience is one that will be carried with us for the rest of our lives!
Shani Mitchell and Jake McCauley