The beaches in Sihanoukville, Cambodia were lovely for about a day and a half until thousands of Khmers descended on the area to celebrate Khmer New Year. We obviously chose the wrong time to go, but c’est la vie. We spent four days in Sihanoukville. It was still nice to sit by the water, even though we couldn’t swim much because of the jellyfish.
I found the hawkers to be a problem. By our second day, the water was full of trash and junk from happy party-goers. I also didn’t think the food was terribly exciting. Cambodia is supposed to be a relatively cheap country to travel in, but we found most places to be really expensive for the quality of service we received. It was definitely more expensive than Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.
We hired a car to take us to the land border of Cambodia and Vietnam. By the time we reached Vietnam, John’s Mom decided that we would stay at a really nice hotel in Ho Chi Minh City for the rest of her time in South East Asia. I’m sure this decision was instigated by the poor accommodations we rented in Sihanoukville. John and I didn’t have any problems with her decision at all.
Our bungalows were overlooking the beach. They look really nice…
While our beach bungalows look really sweet and quaint from the outside, they lacked proper bedding and light. We were somewhat concerned about bed bugs. We also really overpaid for our bungalows. We paid $30 U.S a night to stay at Meng Leng. Prices were high because of Khmer New Year and places were filling up fast, so we really didn’t have a choice about our accommodations.
This beach was relatively quiet as only foreigners were allowed to swim and tan here. It meant less crowds on the beach but more hawkers, beggars, and amputees. Personally, I found it all a bit draining. I far prefer to go to a beach that doesn’t allow hawkers to bother patrons.
Most of the beach front was set up for evening dinner and dancing in the late afternoon.
Five o’clock and the beach is empty.
The sun is setting and the fishermen are coming home with their catch of the day. Whatever they catch will be served at their family restaurants for dinner this evening.
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Hi Carrie,
This is a great post on travel in Cambodia. Your pictures of the boats by the beach are breathtaking- even though you say there are better beaches in Asia. It is good to read your frank advice on travel in Cambodia. There is a lot to learn from you!
It could have been the time of year. I thought it was terrific when I arrived. I think anyone would after traveling through Cambodia. It’s a harsh country to travel through. I don’t know if I’d return but it was definitely an eye-opening experience.
I was particularly distressed with the way locals treat their natural environment. There’s trash everywhere. And they’ve stripped their coral reefs bare. It’s really sad.
wow. tons of great photos and stories. you’ve been busy! i always enjoy following your adventures as i sit in my little apartment watching buffy and the rain fall outside my window…. it’s raining… again… come back sun!
Hey great photos of Cambodia – looks nice. We have lots of trash in Australia too.
Hi
Really great fotos, i have never been there
thxs for sharing your fotos and making us dream of a better world ;p