DAY 25: Castaway (12/04/19)
I was going to paradise. That was the mental picture that kept me motivated during the intense last ride towards Sihanoukville. What used to be a must-go laid back destination for backpackers has become a smelly dumpster with huge buildings and casinos for Chinese people.
I needed to find a boat to get me to the islands asap. I didn’t want to stay there even one night but it was getting late and they didn’t let me bring the bike to the island. I had to pay a couple of guys working in the parking of a hotel so they would take care of it while I was gone.
In Koh Rong, there were no roads, no paths, only sand. No wonder they wouldn’t take the bike, it would be useless there. I walked down the beach asking in different places if they had a free room, but given it was “New Year” the prices were insane, over 100€ per night. I thought I would have to sleep under a palm tree but luckily I found an affordable dorm.
The island was amazing. Especially for its main attraction: bioluminescent plankton. However, I was completely miserable. Days were long and hot and I didn’t know what to do. One day I fell asleep reading a book in a hammock inside the water. I burned myself completely. I was de nourished and devastated both physically and mentally from the long hours riding under the sun. I looked like a skinny dirty monkey with my skin peeling off. I felt lonely and out of purpose. I missed home, my family and my friends. I was living in paradise but in my mind, I was not there. I started to wonder if this was not for me and it was time to go back. The only thing that made me stay was my sister telling me that she wanted to come and visit me for my birthday (that was about to come). That gave me a sense of purpose: I would plan the perfect trip for her.
A few days later I went back to find my bike. I wasn’t completely sure if it would still be there or if the weird men would have sold it for profit, but they were legit. I was not willing to ride back so I put the bike on a bus, and went back to Siem Reap. I returned the bike and spent the next few days planning what to do with my dear sister. Back to Thailand we go!