We woke up bright and early at 6:30 to get a quick breakfast and be ready by 7:30 for our bus pick up. It didn't come until 8, which seems to be the way traveling goes in Cambodia. Everything is somewhat unorganized, but at the end of the day you get to where you need to be (so far).
We got in the bus and had a surprising amount of space...for twenty minutes. We picked up a huge crew from Kampot, a town over, and made the two hour drive from there to Sihanoukville. It was your typical jam packed van but this time everyone had their own seat.
The funniest part of all this to me is that after the driver picked up everyone he filled up with gas, and had air put in his tires. This doesn't happen in the US. If you're paying for a ticket they pick you up and everything is ready to go. I didn't mind that much, it's just a funny difference I noticed.
We got into Sihanoukville and were dropped off right next to the office we needed to be at. We paid for our treehouse and the ferry to the island and were whisked away in a tuk tuk in order to make the 11am boat. It was right down the street so we got there right before 11 so we could wait thirty minutes.
The ferry was filled with people our age or younger. It definitely seemed like a party crew going to the island. This was confirmed when we got to the island and had our "orientation" and she basically said if you want to sleep you shouldn't stay near this area.
Luckily we were staying on the other end of the beach at the furthest accommodation from the main strip. We stayed at the Treehouse Resort and we were in a treehouse. It isn't actually held up by trees (thank God), but it's elevated and right on the beach. I have never stayed anywhere like this and don't know if I ever will again. Unbelievable.
(View from the porch)
(View from the beach under the treehouse)
We ate some quick lunch at the resort and just took it all in. The water is all kinds of blues. I was pumped because we're on the southeast side of the island so in the afternoons it's shady. This is the best because then I don't have to worry about getting burned at bad. The water is still in the sun so I still put it on don't worry but it's just nice not to have to hide inside or under my towel all afternoon.
We swam, RWC, and got hungry again. We walked into the town (500m or so) and meandered around. On the east side of the main dock there is all Western style restaurants and bars, as in the west side of the docks it's all local food and people. We of course went to the west (local) side and enjoyed a cocktail.
We saw a sign for Sigi Thai Kitchen and we figured we would check it out. The lady at the orientation told us about the Thai food and that it's a must eat. When we got there it was pretty busy but we sat down and grabbed a menu. The place is literally one guy (Sigi) who does everything. He cooks, cleans, chats to people, takes orders, everything. It's this little shack kitchen down a side road and the food is the best. And I mean the best. We're going back tomorrow for sureeee.
(His food is made with love)
After dinner we did more meandering, had a drink right by water (literally waves inches from our table), and headed back to the treehouse. Getting up early and traveling is tiring so we decided to call it a night and get buck tomorrow.
The island is a magical place. It's definitely a party scene (not our scene because we act like we're 40 years older than we are) and a fun atmosphere overall. It's like an island world paradise that you see in the movies.
We don't have many MUST DOs for this place beside snorkel, so it will be a nice couple of days.
"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow."
- Lin Yutang
Beautiful spot in this world!
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