Blogs from Kaôh Kong, West, Cambodia, Asia
August 4th 2010
So after spending my last few days with Chloe on Koh Chang, Thailand - the details of which I'm not going to bore you with as apart from one great day snorkelling the rest of the time was spent hiding from the pouring rain. Although hang on, our last night together we decided to splurge with the last of our Baht and we went to Monkeys for dinner, good decision! We had THE best meal, starting with cocktails followed my mains of chicken breast served on creamy mash with delightful veggies, inc asparagus that was sauteed' to perfection! Anyway enough of my obsession with food.....so on wed Chloe and I caught the ferry back to the mainland and that is where we parted ways after 44 days of travelling together. Although it was sad to see ... read more
Un weekend au calme des rivieres de Koh Kong
Published: August 31st 2010Asia » Cambodia » West » Kaôh Kong
July 31st 2010
Alors que je reviens juste d'un sejour en France fort sympathiques, je me rend compte que je n'avais pas publie cette entree, qui pourtant etait fin prete! Bref, ce weekend etait donc il y a quelques semaines, mais vaut quand meme le coup d'oeil! Ca faisait longtemps qu'on etait pas partis en weekend en dehors de Phnom Penh, et du coup une petite viree a Koh Kong s'est organisee avec presque le meme groupe que celui avec qui j'etais alle plonger en Malaisie. Koh Kong est la province du Sud-Ouest du Cambodge qui touche la Thailande, et c'est aussi le nom d'une des iles qui en fait la reputation (Koh veut dire ile), et c'est enfin le nom de la capitale de ladite province, comme ca on s'embete pas au Cambodge, on appelle tout du meme ... read more
March 30th 2010
For the days around my twenty third birthday we decided to head further west from Chi Phat to the Koh Kong Conservation Corridor that stetches along the Thai border. We arrived in the capital of the area, Krong Koh Kong, expecting what Lonely Planet dubbed as 'a seedy border town' but found it to be a rather nice place. We had planned to go to a nearby island for my birthday but decided that it might be a little too deserted for any birthday celebrations. So we planned to stay and enjoy the waterfalls, mangrove forests and beaches nearby. The town had a scenic riverside/sea setting with a promenade lined with food stalls from where you could see across the long bridge to Thailand. We found Otto's guesthouse where 'you pay the least but sweat the ... read more
March 8th 2010
Me Wies and Bart crossed the border at Hat lek and as soon as our mini buss dropped us off people were grabbing our bags trying to take them for an big big price across the border. Unfortunatly for most Asains we all have the lonely planet which allows us all to have a chance if we're smart enough to know when we are being ripped off. So the best thing to do is go in hiding for 20 minutes, eat some food then go back and find a nice little old man who will do you a good deal. We had to fill out health forms and have photos taken for the visa but some guy did it all, then suddenly wanted a tip for helping us, although it's his job and he works there, ... read more
February 27th 2010
I want to say that I LOVE CAMBODIA and I'm really upset that I didn't have the opportunity to stay there longer. I live in the neighborhood, so a trip back is a must. Traveling to the Thailand/ Cambodia border was a trip. On the Thai side, there are mean-faced serious military men holding AK-47's and the process to exit the country was fairly orderly and uncomplicated. However, by the time you cross to the Cambodian side, anarchy awaits. There are children everywhere trying to hustle you and make a quick buck and all these men waiting in front of immigration office persistently insisting that you need their help. They want to fill out your paperwork for you and take you to a hotel, but claim there is no charge for their service. Unlike Thailand, there ... read more
January 28th 2010
After nearly a fortnight of relaxing and having a break from the life of constantly rolling on, it was time to roll on once again! We caught the early bus to Trat, then another staright to the Cambodain border. On arrival at the border we completed all the paperwork to pass through and headed through to no-mans land. Instantly being bombarded by sales people offering all kinds of services, things that I daren't even repeat. Entering Cambodian territory it was like a different world, very hectic and hard work. We completed our visa's and were pestered constantly until agreeing to get in a car to go into town. Town was Kaoh Kong and not what I would deem a town but a big village, with dust roads, no pavements, very few cars but lots of bikes. ... read more
January 20th 2010
Back on the ferry to the mainland, only a 30 minute hop. I was approached by a friendly Thai fellow who offered me a lift to Trat (the nearest town) for only 50 baht. Ok, says I. His boss had a van and we wouldn't leave until it was full. Through sign language I explained to him my unfortunate flip-flop situation and he took pity and gave me a lift to a nearby shop where I obtained an ill-fitting pair of flip-flops. I am *really* REALLY starting to hate flip-flops. We had a something approximating a conversation (via thai phrasebook and loads of sign lingo) before setting off to Trat about 1hr later. In Trat I got a cheap room (200 baht) which was decent enough with hot shower and flushing toilet. I found a restaurant ... read more
December 13th 2009
Crossed the border into Cambodia and to Koh Kong. First thing I noticed was a complete lack of cars, there just arent any here! Koh Kong is a great little town on Cambodias south coast and the people are amazingly friendly and seem to be stoned most of the time! Spent a day out on a bike with a local guide called Rah, had an awesome time! Rah kept saying that Cambodia is just waking up, I understood what he meant, after the countries almost complete destruction after 5 years of war and the lunacy of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia is just starting to reawaken, most things seem not to be quite yet built but they are getting there! And the beer, Angkor is fantastic!... read more
December 10th 2009
Off on the tutTut to the same boat at 08:30 and this time there are 9 of us including the dutch couple from yesterday. It should only take 1.5 hours to get there but after 45 minutes we lose one of the props again due to a hessian cement sack wrapping around the shaft - this is a common occurrence says Mark, our guide again. He and Jason who owns Oasis are both from Southampton and have founded the CSSC - Cambodian Saints Supporters Club - they are staunch Southampton fans and I reminisce with them about the times when we had Shearer, Barry horne, Rod Wallace, Jimmy Case, tim Flowers, Jason Dodd, Glen Cockerill, Jeff Kenna etc etc - a great attacking side in those days. Anyway we are slowed up by only having one ... read more
From Koh Kong Island into the Carddamon jungle
Published: December 6th 2009Asia » Cambodia » West » Kaôh Kong
December 5th 2009
After a week of work and not much sleep we opted for a quieter place.. koh kong the "city" is the place to go to to get to an untouched island and the biggest protected jungle in Cambodia... it is also the dead dog capital of the world... well they weren't dead but they all looked pretty close to it.. and so was the place itself.. this is the sort of thing that happens in most border towns Ive been to.. whatever they border they tend to be ugly smelly and have the most malnourished flea ridden dogs you could hope to see.. but we found our man Mr Neat at the blue moon guest house and deciding to spend as little time as possible in the town we booked the island trip for 8am the ... read more
