Living In Harmony With Nature

My wife and I have always loved nature, but we never imagined that we would end up living in the jungle. We were both working in stressful jobs in the city, feeling disconnected from ourselves and each other. We decided to take a break and travel to Cambodia, a country that we had heard was rich in culture and natural beauty.

We arrived in Phnom Penh, the capital, and spent a few days exploring the sights and sounds of the bustling city. We visited the Royal Palace, the National Museum, and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. We learned a lot about the history and culture of Cambodia, but we also felt overwhelmed by the noise, traffic, and pollution.

We wanted to see a different side of Cambodia, so we took our motorbike and headed to Mondulkiri Province, the largest and most sparsely populated province in the country. We had read that it was home to thickly forested mountains, powerful waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. We were excited to see what adventures awaited us there.

We arrived in Sen Monorom, the capital of Mondulkiri Province, after a long and scenic ride. We checked into a guesthouse and explored the surroundings. We were amazed by the scenery: rolling hills covered with green grass, pine trees, and wildflowers. We felt like we had entered a different world.

We visited some of the attractions in the area, such as Bou Sra Waterfall, the largest and most impressive waterfall in Mondulkiri; Phnom Dos Kramom, a sacred mountain with a pagoda on top; and Mondulkiri Project, an elephant sanctuary where we got to feed, bathe, and walk with rescued elephants.

We enjoyed our time in Sen Monorom, but we wanted to experience something more authentic and off-the-grid. We heard about a community of indigenous people called the Bunong, who live in harmony with nature in remote villages in the jungle. We contacted a local guide who offered to take us to one of these villages and introduce us to a Bunong family who agreed to let us stay with them for a few days.

We packed our backpacks and followed our guide on our motorbike. We left the paved road and entered a dirt track that wound through the forest. We crossed rivers, climbed hills, and dodged potholes. After about two hours, we reached our destination: a small village of wooden houses on stilts surrounded by banana trees and bamboo.

We were greeted by our host family, who welcomed us with smiles and curiosity. They showed us our room, which was actually a hut that we had built ourselves with their help. It had a bamboo floor, a mattress, a mosquito net, and a solar panel for electricity. There was no running water or internet connection. We felt like we had gone back in time.

We spent the next few days living like the Bunong people. We ate what they ate: rice, vegetables, fruits, and some various wild meat. We drank what they drank: water from the well and tea from wild plants. We also learned from the Bunong people how they respect and protect the environment. They taught us how to make baskets, mats, and hats from natural materials. They showed us how to identify edible and medicinal plants in the forest. They explained how they worship their ancestors and spirits in sacred places. They invited us to join their ceremonies, dances, and songs.

We felt a deep connection with the Bunong people and their way of life. We realized how much we had been missing in our modern and hectic lives. We discovered a new sense of joy, peace, and gratitude. We found a new purpose in life by living in harmony with nature.

The experience was so impactful that we decided to purchase properties in Mondulkiri Province and call this place our jungle home. We are now living our dream of exploring the unknown and discovering new reasons for living in life. We are happy and fulfilled. We are thankful to Cambodia and its jungle for teaching us to appreciate life more.

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Original story (created by me) published on Medium.com. Any changes and/or updates that have been added on Vocal.media are for content consumption purposes.

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