KOH RONG SAMLOEM
By using Cambodia Angkor Air flight, it took me around 1 hour from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville airport. From Sihanoukville airport, I took a cab that cost $6USD to Sihanoukville pier. When I arrive Sihanoukville pier, I had a choice to either take a speedboat or a slow boat. I was told there wasn't any slow boat left so I took a speed boat to Koh Rong. The agent for speed boat sells two-ways ticket at $20USD. I was told that the ticket has no expiry date as long as it is kept properly. So I bought the two-way ticket.
Our tourist counter friends!!! BE SMART don't buy two way just one way first. We were told that we will be taking the speed boat for both ways but unfortunately when we wanted to go back from Koh Rong Samloem, we were told that the speedboat broke down. Soooo....... we have to take a slow boat without seats to go back from Koh Rong Samloem. Here are the pictures to show you the different between both boats we used but we paid for the speed boat price.
The pictures above are Koh Rong Resort
It is very congested and a lot of pub around Koh Rong.
Below are the pictures of SARACEN BAY RESORT bungalow. We were told it is the best resort in Koh Rong Samloem.
sand
I chose to go to Koh Rong Samloem. Koh Rong Samloem is located about 20km from the coastal port town of Sihanoukville, Cambodia. It lies in the Gulf of Thailand, which itself is part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. The island is covered in the dense, dry forest, streams, and mangroves and supports an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna. Initially, I planned to go Koh Rong at the northern side of Koh Rong Samloem. At Koh Rong, there are more happening and more crowded and noisy at night. If you want a peaceful and quiet night, it is recommended that you plan to stay in Koh Rong Samloem. This island attracts me because of their unique natural tropical environment and the beautiful pristine white sand beach. The relatively unexplored tropical reefs located in Saracen Bay.
The main attractions that brought me here all the way taking a flight to Siem Reap, changing another flight to Sihanoukville town then taking a ferry to Koh Rong island is because of their magical phosphorescent plankton glimmering out in the water at night. When the sun goes down you can head into the ocean to experience what fireworks look like underwater. During the first night when I checked into Saracen Bay Resort at Koh Rong Samloem, immediately my friends and I look for a boat to take us to into the ocean to witness the phosphorescent. The phosphorescence sparkles when you disturb the plankton with your arms or legs lighting up like fireflies, this phenomenon you witness for the first time with your own eyes stays in your memory forever. My friends and I took a midnight tour to discover the phosphorescent Plankton. We felt really excited seeing those glimmering plankton in the water at night when we went down to swim. This experience is really marvelous which you can't tell unless you experience yourself. It's tooo..... beautiful to describe "millions of plankton in the ocean as if those fireflies in the water blinking, welcoming us.
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| image taken from google. coz my camera can't see the plankton |
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| image taken from google. coz my camera can't see the plankton |
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| image taken from google. coz my camera can't see the plankton |
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| image taken from google. coz my camera can't see the plankton |
The best time to visit this island is during the dry season. Now, it is the raining season there. I am so worried that I will not be able to experience them if it rains. Therefore, on the first night, the weather was perfect so I told myself not to give up the chance to explore and experience this unforgettable moment. I was worried if I go during the second night it might rain and all my effort going to this island is a waste and I don't want to have that disappointment.
On the 3rd day, I flew back to Siem Reap to explore Angkor Wat and others more Angkor.
I had been to this Angkor Tour in 2006 so I didn't explore much.
What I prefer is to explore those floating villages in Kampong Phluk. I asked Tuk Tuk to take me there but the driver took me to Chong Khneas floating village. Here are some pictures to show you. I told Tuk Tuk to take me to Kampong Phluk but he used a short cut road to show me the similar floating village. Try to be smart and don't get cheated by them. I thought I told him clearly. It is either he could not understand or he planned to cheat me. I was brought to a poor village and was asked to donate and do some charity to that floating school. I can't stand to see those children suffering so I bought some rice to send to them. Everything we bought was in USD.
Times flies and it is time to head to the airport but my memories about that plankton are still fresh and clear in my mind. It was a really great and enjoyable experience even though I didn't choose to tour Angkor because I had been there a long time ago. So Angkor is not my first priority to visit.
Good Bye Cambodia.. Till we meet again if I miss you!!
