TRAVELLIVE MAGAZINE Travellive 05-2016 | Page 94

Koh Rong Samloem Cambodia FORGET ABOUT WIFI ust 45 minutes from Sihanouk Ville by sea, Koh Rong Samloem is a beautiful, pristine island. Unlike Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samloem is a small island with no residential areas. There are few homestays and resorts scattered about the island. They are all the most lovely little wooden houses on the beach with gardens which are...very small. It isn’t for nothing that Koh Rong Samloem is considered a hideaway island. You will be isolated from technology when staying there. There is no wifi. Electricity is cut twice a day, and of course without electricity, there’s no phone signal. Pack a good camera, your favorite books, and get ready to forget all about technology. The hideaway island awaits you. As simple as the turquoise water and the unplugged life is, you can visit anywhere you want on Koh Rong Samloem without much consideration. If you like a peaceful beach, then go to Sunrise beach. Want to challenge yourself with strong waves? Go to Sunset beach. The wooden seaside houses are the best places to enjoy privacy while you make friends with visitors at other homestays. Apart from indulging in the clear water and sunbathing under the coconut trees along the beach, you can go diving or hire a boat to visit M'Pay Bay, or climb to the lighthouse in Paradise Village to take in the beauty of Koh Rong Samloem. ITINERARY: ü You can travel by plane or bus from HCMC to Phnompenh then take a bus to Sihanouk Ville. Hire a boat to Koh Rong Samloem, buy tickets at the terminal, or ask the hotel receptionists for help. (Bus ticket from HCMC to Phnompenh costs about VND200,000, bus ticket from Phnompenh to Sihanouk Ville costs USD10, and a roundtrip from Sihanouk Ville to the island costs USD20) CURRENCY: ü Riel and USD. You can exchange money at the border gates. FOOD: ü Foods on Koh Rong Samloem are quite cheap. If you don’t want to cook, you can ask the resort to prepare meals for you at the rate of 3-7USD/guest. http://magzter.com/Travellive 94 TRAVELLIVE