Koh Rong – Sihanoukville, Cambodia
As I mentioned a couple of days ago… When we first arrived here in Sihanoukville, Cambodia – Me and the old ball and chain went off on a little day-trip to one of the Islands off the coast of Sihanoukville called Koh Rong. So here’s a little bit about the place, a few pretty pictures of the beaches and village on Koh Rong and a how to get there kind of thing.
Firstly I’ll have to explain that the Islands around Cambodia are nothing like those in neighbouring Thailand. For a start there are no big speed ferries shuttling hundreds of backpackers from one to the next on a daily basis. Also there’s not much in the way of electricity… But what they lack in those areas they surely make up for in pure paradise charm, unspoilt beaches, clear turquoise waters and curios locals.
The boat from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong is little more than a large longtail boat, currently it runs once in the morning (7am from Sihanoukville port to Koh Rong) and then back again at 3pm, food is provided on board as well as tea and coffee and there is plenty of room and shade. The journey takes two hours and the waters are pretty much shaded from the open sea so things stay pretty calm. More services are starting soon but as of now the best way to get a seat on the boat is pop into Monkey Republic and ask at the bar.
When we first arrived on Koh Rong we were dropped at a small village which had everything you could need, we sat and chatted with the locals for a while which was pretty fun and had the obligatory beer or two… Then got on our way.
What I wasn’t expecting to find on Koh Rong was such a simple sense of untouched beauty, beach huts and jungle huts here seem to have been made with a certain amount of sympathy for the surroundings. They seemed somehow more honest and upfront.
We met up with a guy who runs the guest house in the jungle and he was explaining about Island life and how the local villagers and craftsmen on Koh Rong keep things “in house” they want work to be done by people living on the Island, not outsiders…. Which if you ask me was something that paid off… You could see in their design and build quality that they were superior to some of the skanky holes you can get lumbered with in Thailand.
We only had a few hours on the Island but we are going back soon and when we do I’ll knock up a nice big photo essay…
Once we’d had our fill we headed back into the village to wait for the boat and as usual in Cambodia things don’t always happen on time… Although to be honest we had a great time with the villagers waiting for the boat, the children were completely mad about Georgie and her camera, there was plenty of cold beer and plenty to keep our eyes busy.
As with most small villages, off the beaten track that we’ve been to – the hospitality and generosity is often the thing you notice most. At first it’s easy to get caught up with a scabby looking dog or a pile of rubbish but what you have to remember is… This is how it is…. For these people this is life. Once you bother to scratch the surface you’ll get a whole lot more back than an empty stare. In fact as we sat in the shade watching people load the boat Georgie was off taking pictures of the locals, she asked one lady (I reckon about 75 years old) if she could make a picture, the lady giggled a bit and said yes.
Georgie set the shot up, took it and then when she showed the lady the picture… The old girl laughed so hard she fell flat backwards off her bench… I mean – wham. She didn’t even attempt to put her arms out! She was fine don’t worry and when we go back I’ll print the pictures off and give her a copy!
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[...] just fill you in on what we actually did see.1. The crystal clear waters around the pier on Koh Rong are filled with fish. Cambodia’s Islands are relatively untouched by mass tourism and village [...]
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[...] on the 3 best experiences I had while backpacking around Asia on a budget and they were…5. Koh Rong Sihanoukville This is a recent post about the untouched and beautiful Island of Koh Rong, 2 hours off the coast [...]
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WOW – great stuff, that place really sounds awesome – we will be heading there in a month or so as well
Yeah man it’s well worth a visit…. I happen to know that in a month there will be some sweet sweet beach huts up and running!
awesome – we will be sure to check them out, how long are you guys staying in Asia?
We’re here for the long run Nathan mate. Just signed a year contract on a house so at least a year! Have to go for a beer!
Really awesome pics!
Koh Rong Island rivals anything in Thailand! With it’s 28 white sand beaches including one that is 8 kilometers long with the whitest sand I had ever seen in my life! Go down deep in the jungle and you will find aqua marine waterfall! There’s soooo much more we didn’t even get to see!
Wow sounds like you really explored the place… I’m going back soon and will try and get around everything. But yeah, it really does rival anything you might find in Thailand… It’s paradise!
Oh yeah.. forgot to mention there’s this one beach I went to on the island and there are thousands of Palm trees everywhere!
Nice! I’m going back soon and I’d love to know where that waterfall is…. Don’t suppose you can remember roughly?
^^ We go lost there and tracked everywhere and happened to stumble upon it! It’s really deep in the jungles! That’s if you don’t mine having a little adventure! It seems like this one Island has all the things that tourist wants to see! This for me was the best experience I had during my trip to SEA! You don’t know what to expect but when you finally get there it’s like a different world! While many Tourist are having a hard time finding a peaceful moment in the Thai beaches am here all by myself enjoying paradise forever HAHAAH!!!
Looks like a good place to spend a summer vacation, the beaches look serene.
Forget summer I would me over the moon if I was washed up there and had to call it home!
Can I ask you a question? How can you Koh Rong with 8 kilometers of the finest white sand lolz!
Comedy GOLD!!!!
I simply CAN NOT wait to get to South East Asia at the beginning of the year! It looks like an absolutely place!
This might be a little bold but… It’s the best place in the world !!!
Hi, I’m travelling to Cambodia in a few weeks. Thanks for the heads up about Koh Rong, it sounds idyllic! I’m looking forward to going island hopping. I’m traveling independently so anybody interested in hooking up with me, please let me know.
Hi Leander,
I will start travelling Cambodia in a couple of days. Am now in Thailand.
I hope to spend the days of Christmas at this island. It looks perfect. This year no snow or cold.. just a white beach, an amazing sea and lots of sunshine…
Hi Tijs! Cool!!! Good to know that there will be a like-minded soul traveling the Cambodian islands around the same sort of time that I will be there. I’m usually snowboarding at this time of year but this year will be an exception. As you say, warmth and white sand, squeaky, beaches and a hell of a nice tan is what I am after!
I should be in Cambodia and out to the islands either shortly before or after New Year depending on if there are any decent parties in Sihanoukville for New Year. I have heard that the old Khmer Rouge HQ on the top of a mountain nearby Sihanoukville used to have good New Year’s parties but I don’t know if they are going on anymore. I hope they are though as it makes me laugh to think of how angry it would make the Khmer Rouge to know that loads of people were having such a good time in their old HQ.
Anyway, I hope to bump into you Tijs. It would be good to meet you. If you know of anything going on for New Years, let me know and maybe we could meet up for a party. If not, I’ll bump into you on one of the islands.
Oh, BTW, I’m 36, male and a very experienced global independent traveller. I’m very laid back, smoke ganja and enjoy life and love a real adventure to some remote corner of the world, the more remote the better. Hope I sound like the sort of person you’d like to bump into and say hello to. Oh, and I am from England and I like the ladies, if you know what I mean! LOL!
See you in wonderful Cambodia amigo!
Absolutely amazing, will def. have to visit when I touchdown in a few months!!
This defo looks like a place to check out
Gorgeous pics too.
I’m surprised you haven’t yet been to/written about Ko Rong Saloem aka Lazy Beach which is the smaller island closer to the Snooky mainland. We went there for Christmas 2009 and had a ball! Would’ve gone again this year if we’d got the time off. Only a handful of bungalows on the entire island, so it felt very much your own island. It’s worth a look
Photos look great. Thanks for the report. Been traveling and working for 9 months in SE Asia and need a place to chill before I go home. You mentioned there will be bungalows up and running soon. Do you have any info you can send me?
Thanks a mill.
Christine
Hey Christine…. Sounds like your living the life! Yeah everything there is up and running now, have a look at their site- http://monkeyisland-kohrong.com it’s a beautiful island and a great set up! Let me know if your heading this way!