31. December 2003.
It all started that morning, more exactly at 4.30. I took a motodup from Mash/Melting pot, down to the approiate named”Dusk to Dawn” that Chris owned at the time. The bar was still happening with Dallas behind it, when I got there. Chris was in a corner with a can of red bull, without haven’t slept all night. Long day ahead, so I settled for a strong cup of coffee. At 4.45 Ezza and Brasil rocked up on 2 dirt bikes from Kampot. With Ez driving and me as a passenger, and Brasil with Chris on the back we set of. Destination, Kampot.
We arrived at 8 o clock sharp and the landlady was there to meet and greet us. A tour around the property, a promised to get back to her the next morning at 11, with answer to weather we wanted to rent the place or not. Other new potentially renters would come at 12 the next day, but she preferred us J
Lunch time… at that time in Kampot, unless you wanted Khmer food, you did not have many choices. Actually the only choice for western food, still with a Khmer touch was Little Garden Bar on the riverfront… Excellent lunch it was, I still remember it today, 2 of “the special sandwich” and 1 “noodle soup”. Afterwards we made a last stop a Heng Dy to stock up on cigarettes and beer, then the gas station to get gasoline, and then we were ready. Next destination Bokor!
The trip up Bokor is up a 42 km long road. It runs through the jungle and the scenery is amazing. Downside... the road is a disaster! Built in the 1920’ies by the French and since destroyed by tanks and nature there is not much road left. None of the less, it’s a fun ride on a dirt bike, but only if you know how to ride one! That New Years evening, there was a party at the casino at Bokor. The old hill station located the top of a national park, old deserted buildings all around. Creepy, yes! Cool, yes! Special, defiantly! Memorable, yes! The beginning of Blissful Yes! We arrived, parked the bikes, and got ready for the night. New years at Bokor is special, and almost impossible to describe, you needed to be there to know what it was like!
As the time was getting close to midnight, Chris and Ezza headed to the casino. Steve (a good friend, more about him later) and I stayed to watch after the stars and the bikes. 12 o’clock was special. Chris and Ezza returned and we all got settled in to watch stars and fireworks...
Around 12.20 after a blissfully 12 o’clock we turned to Chris...” So what you think about the place in Kampot, not that we wanna push you, but we need to let the landlord know tomorrow at 11, weather we want to rent or not” Pause, silence, fear of the unknown, followed by” Why not, let’s do it kids!” lets rent the place and turn it into the most amazing place in Kampot! “Hell, the most amazing place on the south coast”
Next day, we left the top of Bokor at 7, arrive in Kampot just in time to say yes to the landlord. Together Ezza and I took down the “for rent” sign that was hanging at the gate. And this point no contract was signed, we were to return on the 12 of Jan to work out the details and sign the contract.
New Year, new challenges, new adventure J
Happy New Year 2004!
From the left, Chris (R.I.P) Ezza, Angela and Steve
Bokor Hill station, New Years Eve 2003/2004
