Sihanoukville

After Siem Reap trip, Sihanoukville was my last stop in Cambodia. Why I only chose to stay in Cambodia for one week? Cause the expenses here were too high for me. Despite Cambodia has their own currency, but most of the trading is done by USD currency.

Understand

A brief of Sihanoukville from Wikipedia:

Sihanoukville, also known as “Kampong Som”, is a coastal city in Cambodia and the capital city of Sihanoukville Province, at the tip of an elevated peninsula in the country’s south-west on the Gulf of Thailand.

My Jouney

The bus arrived at Sihanoukville in the early morning around 6 am. As usual, many taxi/motor drivers were waiting for us at the bus stop. I took a moto taxi and heading to the travel agency who is selling the speedboat tickets.

It was still early when I arrived the shop hence I went to the next restaurant to have a quick breakfast and self-cleaned up.

I bought the speedboat ticket around 8 am and a minibus came and pick me up to the jetty. I got to know one couple from Spain from the bus who were heading to the same island as me, Clear Water Bay hence I tagged along with them.

The speedboat arrived and took us about one hour to reach to the island. Once arrived, it did not stop at our destination, Clear Water Bay. *Shocked* Instead it stopped at another island of Koh Rong Samloen. Three of us were upset but no choice to make a decision either to stay or to take another boat taxi to the clear water bay which costs at USD30.

We walked around in the island and asking each resort for the accommodation price. The cheapest was around USD12 *beyond my budget* furthermore it was a long public holiday week in Cambodia hence the accommodation price has been markup. 🙁

Finally, we managed to contact the manager of Driftwood Hostel at Clear Water Bay. He assisted and offered us a “private boat” to go into Clean Water Bay island, each of us had to pay for USD 5.  Of course, we agreed with that since we could not find any cheap accommodation here plus the island was too commercialized for me.

Three of us taking the “private boat”:

I fell in love at the first sight when I arrived at Clear Water Bay. The water was so clean and it feels so peaceful here:

What is special in Clear Water Bay?

Driftwood Hostel

The main Hostel at Clear Water Bay.

Cost per night USD2 for a spacious dormitory room – shared with 12 persons (as per the year of 2017)

You may experience the natural lifestyle here: No heater, cold water shower, No air-conditioner, Electricity only starts from 6 pm onwards, No Wifi, Weak 3G connection.

What you can do here is to enjoy the beach, reading, yoga, hiking etc.

A Big Family and Friends Gathering

This is the place allows you to fully relax, get to know other fun travelers. People enjoy sitting at the “bar lounge” and the “living room” here.

We met new people and became friends here. We talked, laughed and had some fun activities together.

At some point, you may find your quiet zone to have some reading. No one stops you. 🙂

A lucky dog who is staying here 🙂

Every night most of the travelers gathered and have a reunion family dinner. *The cost is USD 4 per person, vegan food 🙂

*Tips: Pack some dry food, snacks to this bay. Because the meal cost starts from USD3 onwards

What can you do here?

Swim with the Planktons 

I  was there for 4 days 3 nights and one day I have decided to wake up at 430am, swam at the beach and looking for planktons. It was my great memory.

Trek to Mpay Bay

This is the bay which located behind Clear Water Bay. It takes one-hour jungle trekking to reach to the bay. Remember to wear a waterproof shoe/sandal to get into Mpay Bay. I was wearing Atlanta slipper which is strong enough to survive the whole journey.

With my favorite Austrian couple:

Collect Trash from the beach Every morning, the would be some trash leftover at the beach. Driftwood management encourages the traveler to save, protect the beach and the environment.

Once you are able to collect one full pack of trash, you will be entitled to get a cup of coffee or beer from Driftwood Hostel.

Catch the Sunrise and Sunset 

Shaved 

This is not a mandatory thing to do here. Somehow when you met some fun and crazy people, you would do something similar. Yes, my first hair shaved in my lifetime. Don’t worry, my hair has grown longer now.

Snorkeling in the Sea

I tagged along with Kim (from France) and Lenzi (from Austria) to do snorkeling at the sea. It was my first time without using any lifejacket and just wearing a basic goggled to swim in the sea. *Bucket list ticked*

Yoga

This is the best place to find your soul and heal yourself. Great to meet a lot Yogis here 🙂

I can’t deny that I have a lot of great memories on this island. I have spent time with the quality people and we did something together just like a big family. Clear Water Bay will always in my mind despite there were some difficulties to arrive at this bay.

How to reach here (In Correct Way)

There is only one speedboat company will drop you straight at Clear Water Bay: (YELLOW) Speed Ferry Cambodia Company. Cost is USD22 per way (as per the year of 2017). Please remember the company logo on below name card :

 

Special thanks to @Caroline who I have met in Siem Reap, she was the one who highly recommended this awesome place to me. And special thanks to the couple @Ousmane and  @Anna where three of us have been through something special during this short trip. And to all my new friends who I have met in Clear Water Bay, miss you guys!

Next, a new destination in Vietnam. Stay Tuned!

More Travel Photos: INSTAGRAM