Happy new year and hello 2017! We had the opportunity to spend the last days of 2016 and the first days of 2017 on an island that seemed as untouched as it could be for a tourist location. Chris always wanted to do his open water diver and this is where he got to do it. He decided on going with the dive shop cambodia. Their main office is located in Sihanoukville. A city we did not like very much but the beach at sunset was very nice.
Sunset in Sihanoukville
The next morning we got on the boat to Koh Rong Sanloem. A small island just 2 hours off the coast of Cambodia. We went there on a colorful wooden boat. The bay we stayed at is called sunset beach. There are only 5 options of accomandation including the dorm of the dive shop where we stayed. The island has no roads and to get to other places you have to walk on small paths through the jungle or take a boat.
While Chris did his OWD I had some time to explore the island. I actually enjoyed hanging out at the beach and relaxing a little bit. In between I planned our travels, did some paperwork and went for a swim. One day I explored the other side of the island which was nothing like our paradise. Too many resorts and people and a windy beach. The only upside was the very fine white sand there. I went back through the jungle and did a detour climbed the stairs of hell. On top of the hill there was the outdoor location goodvibez that gets very lively after sunset I would guess. Another day I did some snorkelling, stayed on the boat with the divers and followed them around for a little bit.
On new years we went to a barbecue buffet and had some awesome porkribs. We sat with our newly found island friends and had a great time playing boule, watching a fire show and listening to some live music. There even were some fireworks on the beach.
After 4 nights on the small island I was ready to go back to the mainland and resume travelling. Our boatride back was a little longer since the engine broke down halfway but we made the best out of it talking and playing cards.