And just when you think you could not possibly relax any more…  We spent five days at appropriately named Lazy Beach on this largely undeveloped island two hours by boat from the southern coast of Cambodia.  Our pulses became almost undetectable.  More hammocks, a bungalow right on the beach, an open air bar/restaurant, snorkels, books, badminton and not much else (including electricity).  There were only a handful of bungalows on this whole side of the island.  Apparently the developers are drooling over this tropical paradise and it will likely not look this way in five years.  We were so lucky to find it now and enjoy it now.  Highlights included, well all of the above.  Plus for Coalter and me, a full-moon walk through the jungle to the other side of the island for a famed Southeast Asia “full moon party”  where boat loads of youngsters are shipped over to the island during the full moon to party (or rave, is that what’s it’s called?) all night on the beach.  Of course, given our age and stage in life, this was done strictly in the name of research, to observe the behaviors and mating rituals of the young, bohemian travelers of the new millennium.  It was… something.  We had an educational (fun) time and came away very happy to be right where we are in life!

It was very hard to leave Koh Rong Saloem after such a nice stay.  The boat ride home through rough seas was terrible.  For those of you who have ever wondered whether dogs can get seasick, the answer is yes, and they are also capable of setting off a chain reaction among the human passengers.  Not a trip we will forget any time soon!  But worst of all was that after our boat ride we had to say goodbye to Coco, who hopped in a taxi back to Phnom Penh on her way back home.  She is an intrepid traveler who has been on many trips with us through many countries.  We had a great time and shared many wonderful memories and laughs (don’t worry Coco, I won’t write about the ones I threatened to)…. she will be missed.

Next stop, return to Ganesha, then back to Phnom Penh to retrieve our backpacks then onward to Bangkok.