Srey Mom had never swum in a lake before. But standing at the edge of Yeak Laom, with its sparkling green waters and jungle whispers all around, she felt something ancient calling to her.

Her grandmother once told her that the lake is alive — a crater formed by fire, blessed by water, and watched over by spirits. "Respect the lake, and it will welcome you," she said.

With a deep breath, Srey Mom leapt in. The cool, pure water wrapped around her like a second skin, and for a moment, time stopped. Birds echoed through the trees as sunlight danced on the surface.

Later, wrapped in a towel and sipping warm tea, she watched the lake ripple under the golden sky. She wasn't just visiting a place. She was connecting to a story, a people, and a piece of earth that remembers everything.

Yeak Laom isn't just beautiful — it’s alive with spirit, silence, and meaning.

If you ever find yourself in Ratanakiri, come see why we call it the soul of the forest.