Stopovers at Sihanoukville
Like many others, we didn’t spend much time in ‘sleazy’ Snooky and used it more as a transit point for Koh Rong and Phnom Penh. We spent 2 nights there, a night on our way to Koh Rong and another night on our way back to Phnom Penh. Nevertheless, here are some highlights and accounts of our stay there.
Enroute to Koh Rong
We arrived in Sihanoukville bus/van terminal, and tried to orientate ourselves with the area and find a place to stay. We ended up taking a motorcycle to Serendipity pier and went hostel/hotel hopping and finally settled on one. The good thing about this area was that it was near the pier where we were to catch the boat to Koh Rong early the next day. Also, there were many food options and places to stock up on snacks and water. In the afternoon, we went via tuktuk to a grocery store (we asked the driver to take us to one) and to the train station to purchase a ticket (the ticket counter was closed but it was alright; we were able to take pictures around). The night was spent walking around- we went to the ‘market area’ along the golden lion roundabout and we explored the beachfront area on the shores of Serendipity beach.
The next morning, we had breakfast at one of the surrounding hostels, took a motorbike back to the train station to buy our train tickets for Phnom Penh for a few days later and we went back to the hostel to check out. We headed to the Coconut Beach bungalow booking office, booked our ferry tickets and accommodation on Coconut Beach and off we went to board the boat!
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| Road to Serendipity pier |
We arrived in Sihanoukville bus/van terminal, and tried to orientate ourselves with the area and find a place to stay. We ended up taking a motorcycle to Serendipity pier and went hostel/hotel hopping and finally settled on one. The good thing about this area was that it was near the pier where we were to catch the boat to Koh Rong early the next day. Also, there were many food options and places to stock up on snacks and water. In the afternoon, we went via tuktuk to a grocery store (we asked the driver to take us to one) and to the train station to purchase a ticket (the ticket counter was closed but it was alright; we were able to take pictures around). The night was spent walking around- we went to the ‘market area’ along the golden lion roundabout and we explored the beachfront area on the shores of Serendipity beach.
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| Sihanoukville street scenes |
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| Onboard a tuktuk |
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| A Sihanoukville landmark: Golden Lion |
The next morning, we had breakfast at one of the surrounding hostels, took a motorbike back to the train station to buy our train tickets for Phnom Penh for a few days later and we went back to the hostel to check out. We headed to the Coconut Beach bungalow booking office, booked our ferry tickets and accommodation on Coconut Beach and off we went to board the boat!
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| Sihanoukville train station |
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| Sunset at Serendipity beach |
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Enroute to Phnom Penh
The ride back from Koh Rong was very bumpy and to say that it was like a roller coaster ride was a complete understatement. Some passengers even requested for vomit bags and many wore life jackets.
Again in Sihanoukville, we went to find a place to stay (albeit a short hunt) and we went out for dinner and explored the roundabout area further. There was this row of stores selling ‘happy pizza’, so that was definitely interesting!
The next morning, a tuktuk ( which we pre-arranged with the hostel) came at 0615 and we took the 0700 train to Phnom Penh.
Notes:
- Motorbikes are the way to go around Sihanoukville. All motorbikes willingly took the both of us together which can really be cheaper after the cost is divided.
- Also, I realised that there was a wide array of imported products- especially from Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.
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| It was gorgeous at night |
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| Waiting for the train |
The next morning, a tuktuk ( which we pre-arranged with the hostel) came at 0615 and we took the 0700 train to Phnom Penh.
Notes:
- Motorbikes are the way to go around Sihanoukville. All motorbikes willingly took the both of us together which can really be cheaper after the cost is divided.
- Also, I realised that there was a wide array of imported products- especially from Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.
- One thing that really stood out to me was the ubiquitous presence of Chinese influence. Chinese buildings, massive Chinese construction projects and shops selling Chinese products abound. I am not completely against it- development brings both benefits and cons, but I hope the town can progress while still sticking to its unique charm. A restaurant worker mentioned that the Chinese are trying to turn Sihanoukville into the ‘next Macau’ and that might be a reason for all these grand and ambitious projects.
- In the boat to Koh Rong, listen carefully to the announcement by the crew members. A couple missed their stop and it caused a commotion in the boat which was already rocking very hard.
- In the boat to Koh Rong, listen carefully to the announcement by the crew members. A couple missed their stop and it caused a commotion in the boat which was already rocking very hard.
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