Cambodia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 99

sparsely populated islands in the Gulf of
hailand. Further east along the coast are
the city of Kampot and the quaint coastal
village of Kep . On Cambodia's western
border, Koh Kong serves as a transit point
for visitors arriving from or leaving for
hailand, and is also an ecotourism
gateway offering treks into the lush jungle
of the Cardamoms.
he accessible areas of the southwest are
well served by public transport . National
Routes 3 and 4 are in a fairly good state
of repair, while regular fast ferries and
boats service the islands.

3-5pm), with an open bar, can be
arranged through the guesthouses that
sell Angkor Beer.

Beaches
Victory Beach is a wide, sandy beach
sparsely sprinkled with bars and
restaurants. he Victory Hill area has a
seedy reputation, being a favourite of
middle-aged gentleman looking for
“hired company”; however, its quieter
hassle-free shoreline seems little affected
and is a popular place for families.
Beyond Victory Hill is Hawaii Beach ,
a favourite with Khmer families. Next
along is Independence Beach , named
after a seven-storey 1960s monolith, the
Independence Hotel , a luxury resort
which sits at its western end. he bay
curves gently, with a line of drinks stalls
and shaded huts. As it sweeps round,
rocks and small, secluded bays allow
some privacy. As you continue east, you
reach the less-visited Sokha Beach , the
almost exclusive preserve of a huge luxury
resort. Closest to town are Serendipity
and Ochheuteal beaches (essentially the
same beach with the former being the
main hub of activity), where you'll find
the busiest backpacker vibe. he area has
a broad range of accommodation, bars
and restaurants, as well as the usual
sunbeds, umbrellas and tubes ($1). It's
definitely worth making the trip 3km
southeast of the town to Otres Beach , the
most impressive of Sihanoukville's seaside
offerings, where you can enjoy not only
long stretches of golden sand but also a
bohemian bar and restaurant scene.

2

SIHANOUKVILLE
he closest that Cambodia gets to a
full-blown beach resort, SIHANOUKVILLE
is somewhat ramshackle, a place where
building-site detritus is more common
than swaying palm trees. Nevertheless it
should be visited, if only as a launching
pad to the stunning islands of Koh Rong,
Koh Ta Kiev and Koh Rong Samloem.
Sihanoukville has a few decent sandy
beaches (but nothing spectacular by
Southeast Asian standards), fresh seafood,
and affordable facilities to go around. It
works as a decent place to refuel and
unwind, especially if you've been
travelling hard on the provincial
Cambodian roads. Moreover, lazy days
on the beach can be complemented by an
evening of partying at one of the town's
vibrant nightspots. If you're visiting
during high season or a holiday weekend,
though, be prepared to battle the crowds.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
he town itself is inland, with its centre
around the market; sprawling over a
large peninsula, it's ringed by beaches
and has many mid-range hotels. he
backpacker area is along Serendipity
Beach Road leading down to the southern
corner of the peninsula. Here, you'll find
plenty of guesthouses, cheap Western-
oriented restaurants and a smattering of
late-night bars.

Offshore islands
As the crowds swell and developments get
out of hand in Sihanoukville, many are
opting to use the town as a launching
point to get to the unspoilt islands off
the coast, where rustic bungalow
developments are mushrooming. Crusoe
Island (see p.105) on Koh Ta Kiev is a
brilliant option, while Koh Rong is the
largest and most developed, with a
buzzing backpacker strip on its south-
eastern corner (Koh Touch), clustered
near the main pier. Neighbouring Koh
Rong Samloem has a growing number of

Angkor Brewery
he Angkor Brewery is located just north
of the town centre. Free tours (Wed