In Sovan Sakor, my home village in Kampot, surrounded by green, I can unwind best.

I don’t wake up from noisy motorbikes and cars like in Phnom Penh. Instead I hear birds singing and cows mooing around my house. The green of the rice fields reflects beautifully when the sun rises. High and modern buildings as I see them in Phnom Penh give way to coconut trees when I am in my village.

The pace is slow in my village and its people make a living a lot more peacefully than in the city. Instead of competing in businesses most villagers are either farmers or fishermen. All they care about is working in the field or fishing to support themselves and their families.

The different families grow different kinds of crops. Corn, bananas and fruit trees take turns in front of their houses. Not all plants you can see are for food. The villagers also love to surround themselves with flowers. I recall red, pink, yellow, white and orange flowers.

Another feature makes my village a beautiful place for relaxation. It is next to the sea and when I am on holiday at home I often ride a bicycle to the sea, walk along the beach, sit down and look across the water. The sea usually takes care of all my stress.

I just have to sit there until I feel better. I normally sit under a tree on the beach until late afternoon.

In the late afternoon, it’s time for me to see the sunset. Without high buildings in the way, I can see the beautiful sun sink into the sea in soft red and yellow colours.

Every night before I go to bed in my home village, all the beautiful, peaceful and wonderful moments are always in mind. And I can carry these images with me even when I am not at home. No matter where I go and what I see in other places Sovan Sakor is in my heart and fills it with peace.