Koh Rong Island

Cambodia: 29-30th Nov, 1st Dec

This morning we are back on another bus this time heading for the island of Koh Rong, as per normal, as soon as we are on the bus I am instantly asleep. After I wake back up I am rather pleased with myself, I actually remembered to download a series to watch for this journey. By the time the bus journey is over and we are at the port I have almost finished the whole first season of Bodies. I run to the 7/11 to grab a pasty and Tootsie before we all get on a speed boat to head to the island. Once we land we walk to our new accommodation. It is a rough one; I am sharing a room with 15 people from the group with no AC and it is hot on this island and to make it worse half the fans in the room are temperamental at best. We don’t have too long to settle as we are off for an afternoon on a boat. We load up and make our way round to a coral on the other side of the island and the group jump in for some snorkelling. Annoyingly the plankton is in full bloom mode so the water is rather murky, but it is still a good dive. I love being in the water and especially under it, diving down getting as close to the coral and fish as you can, holding on to your last breath as long as you can for just a little more time to check out the world below the surface. I am one of the last back on the boat, once we are all on we head to sunset beach. It is a rather busy beach but lovely nonetheless. A group of us instantly head for the volleyball net set up in the shallows and play a few games, none of us are that good but LB seems to be really really good although claiming to not be. A similar thing happened at the mini golf the other day starting to feel like LB is a little bit of a hustler. After the volleyball I join others at the bar on the beach sitting and watching the sunset. Although the view was gorgeous unfortunately it was quite cloudy so the sunset itself wasn’t the best, but still a nice way to chill. Once back on the main island most of the group head to a burger joint that was recommended by our local guides, it was one of the best burgers I have ever eaten. Unfortunately I have a bit of heat stroke and struggle to get the food down. Luckily for me Jon and Charlotte kick into mum and dad mode and look after me plying me with glass after glass of cold water and slowly I start to feel better but I decide to have an early night and try and sleep off the remains of the heat stroke/dehydration.

The next day I wake up feeling a little better and join some of the group on a hike to a ‘secret’ beach. The hike is nice, a mixture of dirt road, beach front and jungle paths; we make our way across the island passing the military base and spotting an eagle and its nest. We reach a nice, natural beach but unfortunately the natural beauty of the shore line is ruined by the levels of rubbish that had been dropped or washed up. The entire walk back along the front is also covered with rubbish, mainly plastic and fishing gear that’s been washed up. Once we are back to the hostel I take some time to rest and hide from a sun that is hard to avoid on this island. Jon, who decided to spend the morning on the main beach rather than joining us on the hike, has really felt the power of the sun; he is red all over. With a cold wet towel over his head sitting directly in front of one of the fans in our room there is still heat radiating from him.

Sunset ends scarily!
(click on the top right hand icon)

That evening many of us head to one of the beachfront bars. I spend a good amount of the evening playing pool with a local kid, he is rather good but I soon learn that you need to keep an eye on him as he isn’t above cheating if he thinks he can get away with it. He is fascinated by mine and Louis’ Apple Watches and is chuffed when Louis lets him wear his, running around the pub watching the pedometer rise with every step. Me and the boys join in on the family meal that the bar puts on while Alex arranges a pool tournament for the group, I am paired with Lars, we have had some success playing together earlier this trip. Unfortunately Lars has a rather bad first game and we are knocked out by Scott and LB. The only saving grace being that those two go on to win the whole tournament. After the tournament a group of us head to another bar where there is a gender bender party going on. Originally we all agree to not dress up but once there we discover there is a free Joss Shot for those in drag. So quickly Lydia and I walk round a corner and swap clothes quickly followed by others with Elain, Zara and Poppy swapping clothes with Lars, Scott and LB. It was a fun evening that ends with most of the group skinny dipping in the sea, Alex and I run along the pier and jump off the end in the nude twice. The second time I have to admit I did feel a little self conscious when I heard laughter coming from the boats moored on the pier, but oh well, we are having a good time. Even after the dip I find myself struggling with the heat once back in the room but slowly fall asleep knowing it has been a good day!

Once back from the scuba dive we head back and shower before walking with LB and some of the group to a bar down the road from our hostel for a lovely view of the sunset. After finishing our pints and enjoying the sunset over the sea we head back for a family dinner cooked by our hostel: chicken skewers and roasted veg, it is a simple dish and a little dry for me, but appreciated all the same. After we have eaten the group walk the shore line to another beach were we build a bonfire. I say we but Lars does most of the work and builds a big bonfire which very much impresses the guide. The other reason we have come to this beach is that with a simple snorkel and a short wade into the sea, with the sun down, we can sea the bioluminescent plankton that inhabit the water here. It is beautiful, not quite on the level of the Maldives but still an amazing experience. Once the fire has finished we head back to the town and go to the bar with the pool table, meeting up with an Intro Travel group, a couple of the members of which Louis knows from home. Their guide introduces our group to a game called smash ball and we play a few games which is great fun! After a few games, I realise how tired I am. The gender bender party is catching up with me and knowing we have a travel day tomorrow I head to bed, falling asleep while reminiscing about the fun I have had on Koh Rong.

Scuba diving with Poppy

Lars builds a bonfire...

Snorkelling in murky waters

Gender bending with Lydia

Luckily the next morning I have free time until 11:30am so I get a nice lay in. At eleven thirty Poppy, Kamilla, Emily and I head to the scuba shop. Unfortunately while we are filling out the medical forms we discover Kamilla’s migraines and the medication she takes inhibit her from being able to dive. So Pop, Em and I suit up and after our safety brief set out for the first of two dives, slowly walking into the sea from the shore. Emily panics at one point and cuts her dive short, but to be honest for her first ever dive she does well up until that point. Pop and I continue the dive to the house reef. The water is still a little murky but it is still a great experience. After the first dive we have a break for the instructor to walk her dogs before we head out on the boat to another reef for our second dive. This one is also great, once back on the boat Poppy recommends I get certified like she is, apparently Bali one of the places on my travel list is a great place to do it. Pop is Open Water and Open Water Advanced certified; it is something I will definitely think about.