Cambodia: Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem
- Will Boddington
- Jan 30, 2018
- 3 min read
After spending some time in the city we were excited to head down to the white beaches of the Cambodian islands. We decided to spend a night on Koh Rong before heading over to to join James on Koh Rong Sanloem. We opted for our first night bus from Siem Reap down to Sihanoukville, where we could catch a ferry over to the island. This could have been a daunting experience for a solo traveller - there were only single size bunk beds either side of the bus, but they were meant for two people! Luckily we were fine being squeezed in together but some people didn't seem too happy about sharing the space.
Both islands are split into several sections by the beaches, with each section of the island having a different feel to it. As the boat dropped us off on Koh Toch beach, the backpacker area, we decided to stay here for the night. We checked into a Western-feel pub and spent the afternoon walking around some of the island and finally having a swim in the sea!
The beach came alive at night, with several street food restaurants setting up on the sand and music blasting from every other cafe. We had a few drinks but decided on an early night as we were getting the 8am boat to Koh Rong Sanloem.
Getting to Sanloem was slightly trickier than anticipated - the boat dropped us off on Saracen Bay, where we then had to wait for a boat from our hostel to pick us up, but we had no idea how long this would be. Luckily there were a few others waiting with us and we found the boat in the end.
Mad Monkey Hostel is on a private section of beach, and the island has no wifi, so it had a really sociable vibe and as soon as we checked in we were already sat chatting with a group of people. We spent two lazy days eating, drinking and swimming and two not-so-lazy nights eating, drinking and partying!
**Rum in the morning doesn't make you an alcoholic, it makes you a pirate!**
It was a really nice break from reality but we were keen to get back to the mainland and actually do things again!
Accommodation:
Koh Rong:
Bongs, 1 night, $14 per night for a private double.
At first this seemed perfect as it included a free breakfast (up to the value of $2.50), however as we couldn't check in until midday we paid for our first breakfast then left before the bar opened the next morning! The room itself was cosy, a wooden structure upstairs with a fan, bed and shower room. Unfortunately the fan didn't do much to cool the room and as there was an open mic night going on downstairs it wasn't the easiest to get to sleep! The food and atmosphere were both great though, and it was a central location. 7/10.
Koh Rong Sanloem:
2 nights, $9 per night for a dorm bed.
This hostel was the perfect island retreat. The staff were so friendly, the food was incredible and the drinks were cheap (or as cheap as to be expected when you're the only bar in the middle of nowhere!). There was a daily fishing and snorkelling trip ran by the hostel and evening games and entertainment too. The best part was the lack of wifi meant everyone was so friendly! We'd definitely stay here again for a few days break. 9/10.
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