Koh Sdach is a small fishing village
island sit at the half way mark between Koh Kong and
Sihanoukville and is a daily stop of the bullet-boat.
Accommodation is available on the island, and for those
interested in experiencing a totally unadulterated stay in a
Cambodian fishing village, then this isn't a bad choice.
Located just a twenty minute
boat-ride off the Cambodian coast, Koh Sdach is dominated by
a sizeable fishing village that stretches along the side of
the island that faces the mainland. While fishing is the
mainstay of the local economy, the village also has a large
ice-making plant, where you can watch it being made and
ferried off by boat to the surrounding islands. On the far
side of the island lies the island's main beach, a somewhat
rocky affair that sits beside the island's premiere karaoke
bar. You can swim here if you wish and the water is crystal
clear , as an added bonus, while you're underwater you can't
hear the karaoke.
The island of Koh Sdach is surrounded
by a bunch of other islands and the mainland, many of which
have spectacular and totally deserted beaches - all of which
can be visited on daytrips by longtail from Koh Sdach. In
Koh Sdach are very few speaking English so if you speak even
basic Khmer (or Thai) you'll be fine.
Koh Sdach has a hospital but it seems to be used more as
a venue for volleyball practice than for medical treatment.
According to information from one local resident, the
doctors in the hospital have set up private practice and all
patients are forced to visit them in this capacity. However,
another resident claims that the medical services in the
hospital are inexpensive and of reasonable standard. Access
to clean water is marginal as the water was supplied to the
houses was not particularly clean. Sanitary facilities do
not exist in many houses and where they do, the sewage seems
to be directly released into the sea. Spotting fecal matter
in the sea around the island was hardly unusual.
Most of the houses are made of wood and have
tiled roofs. A few concrete houses also
exist and seem to be owned by the wealthier
members of the community. Interestingly, Mr.
Panya, one of the most prominent locals,
lives in a wooden house (though one which is
large and adjoins the jetty). The land for a
wooden house costs US$8,000 to US$10,000
with the materials and workmanship costing
another US$1,000 and represents a very
significant investment for a local family.
The chief entertainment seems to consist of watching videos,
eating out, singing karaoke and playing pool. Several
eateries and roadside stalls can be found from morning to
night. Many of the eateries double as video houses during
the night. Food costs are moderate with a meal costing
around US$0.50. Many karaoke joints are to be found on the
side of the island opposite to the main area of habitation.
Many pool houses are there on the main street and charge
around US$0.70 per hour. Most of the locals seem to combine
playing cards and poo
WELCOME
to the Kingdom of
CAMBODIA
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