Then I just stay where the pepper grows - Arrival day from Koh Kong to Kampot

I spent the rest of my time in Koh Rong soaking up the beach atmosphere, sunbathing, and enjoying water activities, as well as indulging in the decadent delights of food and drinks around the beach in the evening. I almost expected to get a nice sunburn, despite taking sun protection measures and mostly staying in the shade, but the unprotected underwater observations and the light wind at the beach ultimately let Brother Lightfoot win in that regard ...

At 9:00 AM, I had booked my ferry for my departure day to Sihanoukville, and at 11:30 AM the bus to Kampot was supposed to leave from there... After there was a power failure in my accommodation in Koh Rong at precisely 8:40 AM, this was the final sign for me to check out, so I was at the harbor by 8:45 AM ... Well, here comes the usual procedure ... the departure times are more like suggestions, and so I found myself—though not alone—still waiting somewhat patiently with my travel backpack on my sunburning shoulders at 9:45 AM for the speedboat ferry, which finally arrived at 9:50 AM - at that moment I realized that - despite incredible relaxation, my German roots somehow came through and I don't really enjoy unexpected waiting times ... but everything was still within my time limit ... The 45-minute ferry ride was not great for people who easily get stomach problems from the bouncing and rocking of the boat, but I found it rather relaxing, and I looked at the fading faces of some fellow travelers alongside the rushing water landscape... Upon arriving in Sihanoukville, I quickly found my van stop, had some time to grab brunch, and then I had to see if I could still get a seat on the booked bus. The organizer, who I initially thought was the maximum 10-year-old daughter of the travel company owner, seemed a bit overwhelmed with the situation and presumably overbooked ... So, I pushed my way into the vehicle and took a seat over the wheel well. This meant pulling my legs in for the 3.5-hour ride... Then the shaking began ... I had checked, the journey was supposed to be mainly along two major highway connector roads. And it was. However, the first stretch of the journey—lasting about 2 hours—was comprised only of a bumpy mix of dust and gravel with an incredible number of potholes and ruts ... Everything shook and bounced; I repeatedly bumped my head on the ceiling of the bus and was always amazed at how the bus’s springs held up and how the driver could even see anything in the dust clouds ... Eventually, we did reach a certain stretch of asphalt road, which improved travel comfort for the last 1.5 hours ... then we arrived in Kampot—with a tolerable delay of 20 minutes, Google Maps indicated a 20-minute walk to my accommodation. I like to use this for my first exploration of a new area ... so I strolled off again ... and realized that Kampot is really a beautiful small town with charm ... Everywhere I passed beautiful buildings in the French colonial style and friendly locals who greeted me ... At check-in, I discovered that the owner of the location, Andi, is a former resident of Düsseldorf who has found his new home in Thailand and Cambodia for nearly 28 years ... From the welcome drink at the bar, it became several, and we started chatting; Gerhard, a Bavarian from Leipzig, joined us, and so 1.5 hours passed until my travel backpack landed in the room and I was under the shower ... Then I went to explore my new area on foot, strolled around Kampot, and found more beautiful spots, especially while walking along the promenade of Preak Tuek Chhu or at the night market ... Eventually, the evening hunger arrived, and I settled down in a nice restaurant in the city center ... Fully stuffed, I then took the 20-minute walk back to my hostel in digestive satisfaction, deciding against the Tuk Tuk ... When I returned, Gerhard was again at the bar with Andi—my hostel owner—and I joined them ... gaining many new insights and worldviews on a variety of matters in the micro and macrocosm ... As some stories began to repeat slowly around midnight—at least—I retreated to my room ... because tomorrow there is an 8-hour tour around Kampot and Kep ...