Cambodia has lots to offer but easy life on a simple island is definitely something they do well.
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| Beach next to Sunset Bungalows |
Island life - Koh Rong Sanleom
This is a beautiful little chill and relaxing island around an hour boat ride from the mainland where you can chill all-day and chill all night. Take the speedboat from Sihanoukville and get off at M’Pai Bay.
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| Bench outside The Drift |
Pick a hostel in the first row for waves lullabying you to sleep at night, like the Harmony (to the
right from the pier and around 2 min walk). Or pick a place in 2nd or 3rd row for a bit cheaper and quieter nights.
In the daytime you can relax on the beach, snorkel the sea, or go trekking in the jungle - remember to get a guide because without a machete you won't get far, and you will definitely get lost.
Wildlife contains snakes, spiders, and a wide variety of insects, birds, lizards, and monkeys.
The owner of
The Drift *(just turn to the left when you get off the pier and you can not miss it) has a passion for animals and jungle so he organizes trips into the jungle a few times a week. This trip is free of charge and quite the experience.
Nighttime is good for enjoying a bonfire, gazing up into the Milky Way, and the amazing experience of the glowing planktons in the water - which actually make the stars appear 3D - 360 degrees around you.
The King of Beaches
Being an island there are quite a few nice beaches located on the island. But Clear Water Bay is the most beautiful beach around Koh Rong Sanloem. Located about 1-1,5 hours from the hostels in M’Pai Bay, through the waters and into the wild. It is hard work but worth your while when you arrive. Enjoy a drink on the beach and experience perfection of simple moments.
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| Clearwater Bay |
Sunset time means Happy time
Sunset is caught at the Dragonfly (just walk straight off the Jetty and continue for around 5 minutes inland and turn right and follow the signs) and the surrounding rocks where you can enjoy a drink at happy hour while looking at the sun and get those breath-taking photos for Instagram that will get you 100s of likes.
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| Sunset at the Dragon Fly |
Where to stay
Prices on the island vary but accommodation is fairly cheap. 5-10 $ for a dorm per night. Around 13-17 $ for a private room and 28-35 $ for a bungalow on first row/ beach line. If you go hunting for a bargain in the 3rd row or with the locals, a dorm bed can be obtained for 3$ and a private room for 5 $. Access and demand play a big role in their pricing. Living privately with a Cambodian family is also an option - and a very good one if you ask me. People in Cambodia are friendly and helpful, and love to have tourists staying. The Drift have movie nights twice a week and they are free to join regardless of whether you stay with them or not.
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| Children playing in the water next to The Drift |
What to eat
Good food varies from 2 to 10$ depending on local or western style, and choice of veggie/meat/seafood. I recommend Erin how has a small place on the left close to the drift. She can cook everything on demand as well as what is on her menu. Her prices are cheap and her food is good.
Getting in touch
Wifi is a luxury and limited on the island so you might actually have to talk to your fellow travelers. But you have a 6-hour bus ride from Phnom Penh to prepare a few icebreakers if you have become social media isolated from the world.
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| Sunset over M'Pai Bay |
Environmental issues
Keep in mind that Cambodia is still a 3rd world country, so they are still fighting ignorance of a few issues but they are working on the task. Koh Rong Sanloem is in the process of being cleaned from rubbish, and if you are a traveler on a budget the Drift currently offers a free beer for every bag of trash you collect and bring them to preserve the nature and wildlife, and The DragonFly does collective cleanup days. It isn't just the locals who are responsible for the littering. Quite a lot of the rubbish comes from the sea which of course affects the wildlife in south-east Asia. Hopefully, the issue will become smaller with the rise of education and awareness. I hope conditions all over South East Asia it will improve in the future so we don't loose pearls in the sea like this.
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| Walking towards Sunset Bungalows |
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| Walking towards the viewpoint at Dragon Fly |
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| M'Pai Bay beach |
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| M'Pai Bay beach |
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| Jungle-trekking with Kristian from The Drift |
* https://www.facebook.com/thedriftsamloem/?ref=br_rs
** All pictures are private taken by me.
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