Sihanoukville and Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia – January 16th – 21st, 2017

After a very long travel day (over 12 hours in a van/bus), we arrived in Sihanoukville. Well actually that’s not right, we arrived 4 km outside of Sihanoukville. Although we knew that the bus was supposed to drop us off in town at the bus station, the driver stopped outside of town at a gas station. Here, several men boarded the bus, walked the aisle, and forced every non-local off the bus telling us that this is where we have to get off for Sihanoukville. Dazed and confused, we exited the bus only to be bombarded by tuk tuk drivers who were poised and ready to take us into town. It turned out that the men that told us to get off the bus and these very pushy tuk tuk drivers were one in the same. By the time we had figured out the scam, the bus had already left, heading towards the bus station (which was right next to our hotel!). Luckily the tourists united against the corrupt tuk tuk drivers and refused to pay them the $25 they were demanding for a ride (to put the absurdity of this price into perspective, we payed less than $25 for both of us to travel on two different buses from Sen Monorom, 550 km away). Based purely on the principle of the matter, the five of us began walking in the rain. The pushiest of the drivers followed us for about 1 km, repeatedly stopping in front of us and demanding that we pay him for a ride. Even though his price dropped to $5, we still refused and eventually ended up paying a different driver to bring us the remaining 3 km. The only positive that came out of the situation is that we made three friends in the process – a Kiwi, a Dutchwoman, and an Israeli. After checking into our hotel we met up with them for dinner (mexican food, FINALLY!) and partying on the beach – we even danced! Imagine that, two engineers dancing! Your imagination is likely an accurate representation of our dance skills…

Slightly hungover (well Andy anyway, I felt great) and sleep deprived, we made our way via speed boat to our actual destination, Koh Rong Samloem, bright and early the next morning. In order to access the more remote beach, we had to trek 45 min. through the snake infested jungle across the island to Sunset Beach. It was well WELL worth the effort – think paradise. The beach and surroundings were far superior the beaches in Thailand (which we thought were spectacular). There was not a piece of trash in sight and the beach was bound by lush jungle on both sides. Additionally, our hotel was awesome. The first two nights we stayed in a tree tent right on the beach. The following two nights we opted for a massive tipi and a real bed (the tree tent although super cool in theory was not very comfortable). There was plenty to keep us occupied: ping pong, pool, beach volleyball, water Frisbee, games, hammocks, kittens!, decent snorkeling, slackline, daily workouts on the beach (created by yours truly), incredible sunsets, and even a scuba company with a small office less than 100 meters from us. The food was even pretty damn amazing – I ate the vegetable curry literally five times over four days. After a few days enjoying the beach, we did a two-dive scuba trip to the surrounding reefs. Although the beach beauty was stunning, the underwater beauty was meek in comparison to the Similan Islands.  Our guide was also surprisingly grabby – as in he felt the need to touch everything, which is a big no no in scuba diving (get your mind out of the gutter). We still had a good time though and saw a bamboo and cat coral shark (albeit both hidden in caves), lots of sea urchin and bat fish, and sea sheep (which are really rare).  

Our accommodations on Sunset Beach, Koh Rong Samloem. The picture in the top-right shows the view from our tree tent.

Sunset views.

Slackline, kittens, and Dandy love.

On the scuba boat.

Although we were reluctant to leave our beach paradise, we made the trek back across the island to catch the speed boat back to the mainland. Andy’s family were on their way to meet us that day (YAY!). Although the ocean on our beach had been completely calm that morning, the beach on the opposite side of the island was being bombarded with massive waves. The speed boat was unable to use the regular pier so we were told to walk down to the neighboring one. Although the speed boat employee had assured us (three separate times) that we were at the correct pier, we had the sneaking suspicion that she was wrong. Luckily, Andy walked down to the end of the beach (about 1 km away) and figured out that we were actually supposed to be at THAT pier. By the time he got back to tell me, the boat had already arrived and we literally had to run with our backpacks to make it in time. What is it with the continued complications getting off islands?! I still have daymares about being stranded on Koh Bulon Lae!

Departing Koh Rong. Completely out of order is the photo in the top-left: our "tourists united" friends from our first night in Sihanoukville.