Buzz
I packed 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green for my journey to Koh Rong, the beautiful island in Sihanoukville province, Cambodia.
Don't forget to bring a book when visiting Cambodia, particularly to Koh Rong
The romantic scenery is crafted by both humans and nature - Photo by Mỹ Hạnh
The book is a contemplation of life and death, of existence and love, hence, Koh Rong, simple yet full of emotions, is an ideal place to read it...
Turn off your phone
We took a Soyar bus at Cong Hoa Street (Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City) for $27 per person. After over 2 hours, the bus arrived at the Moc Bai - Bavet border gate. From here, we continued our journey to Phnom Penh, then changed buses in Phnom Penh for another 6-hour journey to Sihanoukville.
I decided not to switch to international roaming but only used my phone to listen to music and read books along the way. At this moment, both sides of the road were vast stretches of wilderness with sporadic clusters of trees, occasional houses, and Cambodia, which many people still perceive as a country deeply rooted in the mainland, exuding a silent ancient charm...
Stepping off the bus at Lion's Roundabout, the heart of Sihanoukville, feeling the cool breeze, witnessing the illuminated bars, lively street music, and the gentle sound of waves at Seperendity Beach, did I realize I had arrived in Sihanoukville, a very different part of Cambodia.
It was past 8 PM by now, everyone grabbed dinner and enjoyed a cocktail by the beach at night. Besides the lively bars with music, fire shows, and various entertainment, you could also buy fireworks from street vendors and set them off by the shore.
Childhood games seemed to dissipate all the fatigue of a day's travel, and the bright light of fireworks warmed even the loneliest hearts. I returned to the hotel, bookmarked my unfinished book, and drifted into sleep to the soothing sound of waves.
The crystal clear, emerald sea at Koh Rong – Photo by Mỹ Hạnh
A waterfront café overlooking the port bridge – Photo by Mỹ Hạnh
Koh Rong takes its time
Koh Rong is Cambodia's second largest island, located 25km from the Gulf of Thailand. In Khmer, 'rong' means 'cave', 'refuge', which perfectly fits the reality as it remains a pristine island with scattered villages and a few sparsely populated bungalow resorts. The island recently got 24/7 electricity.
To get to the island, people catch the speedboat at Seperendity Pier for a round-trip fare of $20/person, taking 45 minutes to reach the island. The boat operates on various schedules, with the first trip to the island at 9:30 AM and the last trip back to the mainland at 4 PM.
You can keep your ticket to return the next day, but if you're traveling on weekends and returning the same day, remember to reserve in advance with the boat company at the island pier to ensure a spot.
Although houses are sparse, the services on the island are quite comprehensive, professional, and tidy, ranging from guesthouses, cafes, pharmacies, to massage services...
Taking it slow, we strolled along the coastline, away from the crowded port area, eventually stopping under the shade of a refreshing tree with two romantic swing chairs.
From beneath the canopy of swaying trees, gazing out towards the sea, the sun sparkling on the emerald green surface, crystal clear, serene boats gently rocking like sleeping babies, and the fine, powdery sand beneath our feet, so smooth it was almost surreal.
The azure sky and sea - Photo by Mỹ Hạnh
On the island, you can play volleyball, snorkel to admire coral reefs, or simply lie back and soak up the sun - Photo by Mỹ Hạnh
At Koh Rong, tourists can engage in various activities such as snorkeling to explore coral reefs, trekking through the jungle, joining fishing trips by boat, playing volleyball, or simply lounging on the beach reading a book.
Here, you can freely roam in casual attire, sporting shorts, bikinis, and flaunting sun-kissed skin. It's no wonder Koh Rong has become a hotspot for young beach lovers, avid travelers, enthusiasts of freedom, and pristine beauty.
Before returning to my book, we took a boat to a small island for snorkeling. The coral reefs at Koh Rong may not be as abundant and beautiful as some areas in Vietnam, but the sea is clear and warm.
After enjoying a satisfying snorkeling session, I returned to the shore and lounged in a hammock under the coconut trees, finishing the last pages of my book, still wearing my refreshing swimsuit.
The atmosphere seemed to pause, allowing me to immerse myself in the pages of my book, and as I turned the final page, closing my eyes, I felt even more in love with this life...
A massage shop on the island - Photo by Mỹ Hạnh
As per Tuoitre.vn
Posted by: Tu Trong Hieu
Keywords: When traveling to Cambodia, don't forget to pack a book for your journey to Koh Rong
