- Koh Rong -
Koh Rong
Island is a Cambodian Island in the Gulf of
Thailand, at about 40km off the coast of
Sihanoukville. Actually, the island is deserted,
undeveloped and untouched. It's a secret island.
But it will be soon one of the famous touristic
destination of Cambodia. The island is certainly
the most beautiful island of the Kompong Som
Region. A snowdrift bay, covered by a crystal
clear and turquoise water, stretches on several
kilometres. At the centre, a jungle with
thousands of coconut palms and waterfalls invade
the island. Paradise found on Koh Rong !
Koh Rong Island is shaped like a dumbbell. The narrow
section in the middle is flat, but the ends are mountainous
and covered in thick, creeping jungle. There are a few
fishing villages on the island but no roads, so the amazing
beach is only accessible by boat.
The beach stretches in a gentle curve for about 4 miles. A
few shacks are set amidst coconut plantations in back of the
beach. One of these houses is abandoned and the Cambodian
farmers who own it somewhat bemusedly allowed me to camp
there. Rumour has it that a Taiwanese investment consortium
plans to develop the beach within the next few years.
The local Cambodians in the fishing village at the end of
the beach are hospitable but very poor. No one speaks
English, but a few locals can communicate in Thai, Chinese
and Vietnamese.
To get to Koh Rong, first make your way to Sihanoukville and
then ask around about a boat. Another option is to approach
the island from Koh Sdach, where the ferry from the Thai
border town of Koh Kong stops. In Sihanoukville there are a
variety of tour operators who can arrange a charter, but the
price will depend on your ability to bargain and willingness
to shop around. Off Beat Boats is one option, the hobby of a
knowledgeable and only slightly eccentric old British man. A
supply boat leaves Koh Rong twice a week or so and docks
just to the north of the Sihanoukville ferry terminal, but
the schedule is random. I paid only $5 for a ride from the
island to the mainland on the supply boat, but was quoted
prices that ranged from $50 to $100 for a charter from
Sihanoukville.
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CAMBODIA
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