Koh Rong Sanloem 🏝

View from the Lighthouse 💡

Two weeks of island living was restful + restorative~ 

After Siem Reap, I flew into Sihanoukville Airport [KOS]... from there I had to hire a taxi and head west to the coast, which took about 35 minutes. The person next to me on the flight was also heading to the pier to catch a ferry to Koh Rong Islands, so I invited him and his friend to share the taxi with me. The boat ride was a bit rocky, but eventually I arrived to Koh Rong Sanloem (KRS). It is the smaller and quieter island compared to Koh Rong.

I stayed in a bungalow right on the beach next to the pier. 

Every morning and throughout the day I could hear the ocean waves lapping up against the white sandy beach. 🌊

Home for 2 weeks~

For some reason, I forget that prices on the island are higher than on the mainland... I was not surprised that food and water was pricier compared to Siem Reap... I just did not think about it until I saw the prices. It wasn't extremely expensive. A 1.5L bottle of water cost $1.25 on KRS, as compared to $0.50 in Siem Reap. The cheapest place I found coffee without milk + sugar was $1.00 compared to $1.50 at other restaurants on the island. Being there for 2 weeks allowed me time to explore several areas around the island:

Lazy Beach

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach

Light House {$1 to go up}

Saracen Bay Beach {main side of KRS}

Majority of the hotels/ resorts/ restaurants are along Saracen Bay Beach, and is where the piers are for boats to drop off and pick up island hoppers. It is a lot dirtier (trash everywhere!!😞) on this side compared to the other side. On the west side of KRS is Lazy Beach (~30 minute walk) and Sunset Beach (~40 minute walk). South of the island is the light house (~1 hour one-way walk). I preferred going to Lazy Beach, and only there I would get in the water since it was less windy and the beach and water was cleaner.

I did a boat trip ($15) one day from 2-7:30PM that included:

• snorkeling
• fishing
• M'Pai Bay
• bioluminescent plankton

M'pai Bay

Getting fishing reels ready!

It was neat to see the north side of KRS at M'Pai Bay, and prices over here were cheaper compared to places along Saracen Bay.

I did play with the idea of going to Koh Rong (the bigger island) for the day, but there aren't many boats that do day trips... most just drop off and then go back to Sihanoukville. When I left KRS we did stop by Koh Rong at Kaoh Touch Beach to drop folks off and it seemed like a busier place to be, so I am glad with my choice of staying at KRS. We stopped at another beach called Long Set Beach on Koh Rong, and that seemed more chill than Kaoh Touch Beach.

☺I did meet some nice folks on the boat trip day!!
☺I also was warmly welcomed by the owners of the place I stayed at too!!

Sophy from Seoul!! 🇰🇷

Birthday dinner party with my hosts!! 🍓