What Would Happen If...: ... Things fell into place?

So I'm on the ferry heading from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong chatting with this 50-some year old super hyper/bizarre woman (who happened to be named Evelyn) when I hear a girl go "are you American?" We immediately started chatting (thankfully saving me from more time with crazy Evelyn) and we just clicked. After a few minutes her friend looked at me and said "Is that underwear hanging on your back?" I reached around and pulled off a blue thong that had somehow gotten attached to the back of my dress. We all just lost it laughing and 20 minutes later were sharing personal stories and details of past relationships and traveling love affairs. Rachel from New York and Julia from DC - my new favorite girls who appreciate a good thong on the back. I still can't believe I walked around all day like that and no one told me...

Our ferry pulled up to Koh Rong and my local friend Boner and another American who I'd met last time I was there were waiting for me with a beer in hand - it immediately felt like home once again. Rachel, Julia and I grabbed a room together and headed straight to Monkey Island for some food and time on the beach. The island is just as amazing as I remember but it's crazy that in only a month a few new restaurants have popped up. I'm just so happy to be here when it's in this infancy state - no roads, no motorbikes or vehicles of any kind, no ATM, no stores... Just a beautiful beach with a few restaurants, bars, and bungalows. We had a fun night out followed by a hungover beach day and gnocchi at La Mami and re cooperated last night. This morning we hiked the 45 minute (slightly treacherous) trail to the even more deserted long beach on the other side of the island. We had a run-in with a water buffalo that was blocking the path but managed to tip toe past it safely. A day in the sun and some good local Khmer food tonight... What more could a girl ask for?

Rethinking the next month of travel to include Burma with Rachel and some solo travel around Chiang Mai and Pai but more on that later...

Instant friends - love Koh Rong!