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Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.
Koh Rong
Since the islands of Cambodia are changing so fast. Thus it affects the villagers and many of the villagers do not really want this change.
However, as the largest and most famous island in Cambodia Koh Rong is the first one that they are developing.
Thus Koh Rong will be one of the first islands to have an airport. Furthermore, there are rumours that there will also be a golf course. Nevertheless, it will still be beautiful.
The first bungalow resort on, Koh Rong was Paradise bungalows. This was on the beach called Koh Touch beach.
Despite no longer being allowed to extend the lease the buildings are still there. Just the resort no longer exists.
Whereas I was one of the lucky ones. I got to see this pristine beach before anything, apart from a Cambodian fishing village, was there.
Secondly, I also was lucky to of worked at the first bungalow resort. Koh Touch beach was the first beach that was built on Koh Rong.
This soon became the main section of the island that tourists would visit. Not long after building Paradise Bungalows, my friends built more bungalows next door.
They then sold these to the boys that owned Monkey republic. Basically the place next door soon became the famous Monkey Island.
I won't forget
Thus I will never forget the amazing views and sights I first saw when I arrived on that beach. Obviously, the amazing and pristine beach. Trees, glorious trees everywhere. Also, children sitting in a polystyrene boat catching squid
I’d particularly like to watch the Cambodians cook an amazing meal from what they caught that day at sea. Also what they picked from the land. These are the amazing islands of Cambodia
Pristine beaches
Subsequently, the island got built up bit by bit. But only by backpacker bungalows and shops. Surprisingly for many years, it kept its tranquil and relaxed feel.
Sadly, the backpacker vibe is slowly disappearing on this island. Therefore many places have already been knocked down to make way for luxury resorts.
But there are still some places and beaches on Koh Rong where you can still find this beach vibe.
Koh Rong Samloem
Similarly, the slightly smaller Koh Rong Sanloem fast become a cross between a backpacker paradise and an expensive resort.
Particularly this was mainly due to the number of tourists now coming to Cambodia.
Hence after visiting many of the places that still exist during the Khmer Rouge. Many people just want to head straight to the beaches to chill.
Even if that meant sitting on a boat for three or four hours. Previously we never had fast boats but since those days we have the luxury of fast boats.
Specifically, these boats cut down the three to a four-hour boat ride to 40 minutes.
Therefore they even made it possible to even go and come back from the islands in one day.
Presently most accommodation is at Saracen Bay. But there are a number of more isolated beaches where you can stay.
However you can just visit these remote places just for the day. These are accessed by sandy jungle trails.
Paradise villas are also on Koh Rong Sanloem.
Koh Ta Kiev
Hence there is another breathtaking island that surprisingly is yet to be destroyed.
But undeniably it will be soon destroyed by foreign investment. Thus make the most of the one that still exists the beautiful Koh Ta Kiev.
In brief, this island is just one hour away from Sihanoukville by boat. While it is also close to Ream National Park. So it is easily accessible but that’s if you even want to adventure to what was formerly Sihanoukville to get there.
Surprisingly, it is still unspoiled even though it is one of the closest Cambodian islands to the mainland. Without a doubt, this will change but right now Koh Ta Kiev still has that castaway feel.
Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island)
Koh Tonsay is better known for ex-pats and travellers than Rabbit Island.
Firstly as a result of the island being close to the Kep crab market, it’s an ideal island to go and see.
For instance, stop at the crab market for some delicious crab before jumping onto a boat to the amazing island of Koh Tonsay. This island is a 25-minute boat ride from the old colonial beach town of Kep.
You can hire your own private long-tail boat to take you to the island or you can share a boat with others.
In fact, this island is very undeveloped therefore still very traditional. The island is fringed with palm trees swaying in the breeze, and speckled with different-coloured hammocks along the shoreline.
For instance, there are perfect gentle warm waters in addition to subtle sea breezes. Mainly due to the island being pretty secluded.
Although the beaches are not as white as the islands off Sihanoukville, it is the most “Cambodian” of them all with many locals taking holidays here. Also, great value bungalows and good value seafood caught fresh daily.
I do hope you come and see the islands of Cambodia
Facts & figures of Cambodia
National name :- Kampuchea
King ; – Norodom Sihamoni
Prime minister :- Hun Sen
Land area :- 68,154 sq mi ( 176,520 sq km )
Population;- 16, 907, 729 million (2021) – Growth rate 1.41 % (2020)
Currency ;- Riel and USD
Religions :- Buddhist ( The official religion ) 96.9%.
Muslim 1.9%,
Christian 0.4%,
other 0.8%
National holidays
Roughly these dates
Jan 01- International New Year Day
Jan 07 – Victory over Genocide Day
Mar 08 – International Women’s Day
Apr 14, 15, 16 – Khmer New Year Day
Apr 26 – Visak Bochea Day
Apr 30 – Royal Plowing Ceremony
May 01 – International Labor Day
May 14 – King’s Birthday, Norodom Sihamoni
Jun 18 – King’s Mother Birthday, Norodom Monineath Sihanouk
Sep 24 – Constitutional Day
Oct 05, 06, 07 – Pchum Ben day
Oct 15 – Commemoration Day of King’s Father, Norodom Sihanouk
Oct 29 – King’s Coronation Day, Norodom Sihamoni
Nov 09 – Independence Day
Nov 18, 19, 20 – Water Festival Ceremony
Takeaway
Come and visit this beautiful country now before it changes too much. I have now been living in Cambodia for 16 years. But I first came in 1997. I have seen a lot of changes since then but luckily the changes are slow, like the pace of life.
I love this country, its people, its nature and its animals.
I suggest reading some amazing books before you come and see this amazing country. You could also read them while lying on a beach.
The first book is by a Cambodian author. Chenda Keo. She discovered that human trafficking was a serious social problem that needed to be urgently and effectively addressed. She began her work by interviewing 17 trafficked children. Surprisingly she found that none of these children considered themselves victims of trafficking.
- A book about human trafficking: Human Trafficking in Cambodia by Chenda Keo
The second book was written by my lovely friend Kate. Who has sadly recently passed, due to an illness.
- A book about Cambodia: Cambodia – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
The third book was made into a NetFlicks film which was directed by Angelina Jolie and even starred her son.
- A book about a younger trained as a soldier for the Khmer Rouge: First They Killed My Father
My list of some great books
About Cambodia
- A book about human trafficking: Human Trafficking in Cambodia by Chenda Keo
- A book about Cambodia: Cambodia – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
- A book about the history of Cambodia: A History of Cambodia by David Chandler
- A book from a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist: Cambodia’s Curse: The Modern History of a Troubled Land by Joel Brinkley
- A book about a younger trained as a soldier for the Khmer Rouge: First They Killed My Father
- A book about being in S-21, the prison during the Khmer Rouge: A Cambodian Prison Portrait by Vann Nath
- A book about the leader of the Khmer Rouge: Pol Pot: Anatomy of a Nightmare by Philip Short
- A book about a survivor of the Cambodian holocaust: Survival in the Killing Fields Haing Ngor
- A book about two sisters reuniting after the Khmer Rouge: Lucky Child by Loung Ung
- A book about surviving under the Khmer Rouge: When Broken Glass Floats by Chanrithy Him
