Koh Rong Island, Cambodia: A Record of 3 Peaceful Days
I visited Cambodia for a KOICA project, tasked with building an aviation traffic control simulator. It was a rather rigid mission, but I couldn't return having only worked. Taking advantage of a few days off, I left the busy Phnom Penh for Sihanoukville, a resort town in the south. The real destination of my journey, which began anew from there, was somewhere else entirely.
After arriving in Sihanoukville, I boarded a speedboat for another hour's journey. As the boat, kicking up white foam, reduced its speed, an island emerged, a blend of dense greenery and humble wooden houses. It was Koh Rong Island. The moment I stepped onto the pier, I sensed this was a small utopia for those seeking peace.
Only after setting foot on the island did I realize: there was no internet signal, not even a phone signal. I was momentarily taken aback, but relief soon washed over me. The real journey began the moment I put down my smartphone. My gaze shifted to the scenery before me, my thoughts focused solely on myself and my companions. It had been so long since I felt this pure sense of clarity, as if the unnecessary things were being washed away.
The next day, I woke up late and left my humble guesthouse. Opening the door, fine sand from the beach tickled my toes. There was no reason to wear shoes on this island. Just walking, feeling the soft earth beneath my feet, made me happy.
As the sun began to set, I found a spot on the beach like other travelers. With a cold beer in hand against the backdrop of the reddening sky, all the fatigue melted away. The gentle sound of the waves and the low murmur of conversations created the perfect ambiance.
I heard that if you go halfway around the island from where I watched the sunset yesterday, you can see the sunrise. I doubted it, but it was true. The next morning, standing on the beach before dawn, magnificent rays of light shot out from beyond the horizon. The sight of the round sun rising over the quietly anchored fishing boats was truly wondrous.
Unfortunately, as it was a short trip during a business visit, I couldn't stay long. It was time to return to Phnom Penh. Leaving behind a brief moment of peace, I boarded the speedboat again, filled with the regrets of many travelers. Watching the receding island, I thought: Sometimes, everyone needs time to disconnect from everything and focus solely on themselves. Koh Rong Island gave me that perfect time.
