Cambodia

Possibly the best place in the world to have a haircut – On the pier of Sok San Beach, Koh Rong in Cambodia

July 18, 2015 by David James Leave a Comment

While we were enjoying our stay at Koh Rong at Sok San beach, Stephanie offered a few of the locals a haircut for free. It was the first time in their lives that they were able to receive an Aveda style haircut in their lives. There was a young man that had his haircut first and his finished look made him feel like James Dean. The smile kept on beaming from his face and every five seconds, he would be stroking his hair.

Below is a video of Stephanie cutting the brother of the boys hair.

The glistening waters in the background, the sunshine and the clear blue skies and the tranquil environment that surrounded everyone in the area. Could this place possibly be the best place to enjoy a haircut in the world? What do you think? The boys certainly did!

Sok San New Beach Bungalow Review

July 18, 2015 by David James 3 Comments

One of the things Steph really wanted to do on our trip through South East Asia was to stay at a bungalow that overlooked the beach. We had heard of some places in Cambodia were a must visit, but were somewhat off the beaten track. Steph managed to hear about Sok San beach. Little did we know that this was also the place where they filmed some of the ‘Survivor’ series and ‘Temptation Island’.

There are two ways to see this amazing beach. The first is to take a boat that will take you around the island to the other port in Sok San village. This is approximately a one hour journey. Alternatively, you can take a hike up the mountain, through the jungle and trek across the 6km of white sand that Sok San beach has to offer until you reach the beach bungalow.

The Sok San New Beach bungalow is situated in the main part of the village, perched upon fixtures that allow you to step out onto your balcony to clear blue waters, the mountain on the right hand side, the pier and the sounds of people and children playing and fishing throughout the day. The place is more tranquil and is suited to couples that want to spend some time away. The price of the bungalow was cheap with us securing an Agoda price of £16 per night.

Food was limited to purchasing it from the bungalows. There aren’t a huge selection of restaurants or supermarkets to buy food. Depending on what you bought, it could be reasonably priced or more expensive. (For some reason, Western food was ridiculously priced with an English breakfast costing $15) The staff that run the place are the children of the owners that live in town. They do their best given that they haven’t really had any formal training in the hospitality and hotel tourism trade. Some of the food provided was nice. Unfortunately, Steph did get a bit sick from food poisoning. But we noticed that throughout the trip in Cambodia.

As for the bedding and the accommodation, you get what you pay for. The bedding was somewhat manageable, however there were bed bugs in the mattress that left me with bite marks on my skin. Also, electricity runs on the island for a few hours per day, so you need to do what you can by the early morning or before 10pm in the evening, otherwise you will need to rely on candles and torches.

This place is unique and offers a nice getaway, depending on what you are after. It is nice to have a beach on your doorstep. Although there are sandflies in the water that make it unpleasant to swim in for a long amount of time. But if you were keen on a place that looks like paradise, then this is definitely an option that you can get on a budget!

Seek an off beat adventure by backpacking in Cambodia

June 23, 2015 by David James 4 Comments

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Cambodia is a country that is tinged with sadness, but has an underlying strength. It is a country that has experienced terror far beyond what most people could even imagine in this lifetime. Despite the hardships, the tragedies and the many sad tales from the Khmer people and its history, it is a nation that pursues a dream to rebuild a nation for the better.

This nation and the experience will forever be tainted by the wrongdoings of the Khmer rouge. However as this nation opens up its doors to welcome international tourists, there is an opportunity for people to experience a fondness of the country and the Khmer people that was there long before there were any signs of tragedy. Explore Cambodia and see the great things that this country has to offer.

The markets of Phnom Penh

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If you are looking for some cheap eats in Phnom Penh, then head down to the local markets. Vendors will try to get your attention for your custom of food and gifts. There are cheap eats in a number of side stalls. Take a stroll down towards the Russian markets.

Drinks on at the Moon Bar

This is an amazing place to check out in Phnom Penh. Overlooking the river and situated on the rooftop, this is an amazing place to watch the city by dusk and with the moonlight. On the streets below you can hear the hustle and bustling of street merchants and savvy customers. On the top deck it is a relaxed and pampered atmosphere that is managed by a restaurateur from Mayfair in London.

Picnic at the palace

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The palace in the middle of Phnom Penh is a wonder to gaze upon. Take a trip to the front of the palace in the early afternoon as vendors and people set upon the site and socialise with picnics under the setting of the sun.

Take incredible photos of Phnom Penh’s monuments

This is an amazing sight during the night. Head down on your motorbike and enjoy the wide-open space under the moonlight and take in the LED lights that radiate off the statues and monuments in the centre.

Cruising the streets on the motorbike

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Feel the wind in your hair and get the true experience of navigating like a local down the different streets and passageways. Be daring and get lost (relatively) and find your way back. Meet a local or two along the way.

Travel by sleeper bus to Sihanoukville

If you are planning to visit Sihounoukville, it is likely that you will need to take a sleeper bus. It is highly recommended that you get a bus that is as VIP as possible (meaning that you may get extra leg room and better drivers). Be cautious with the travel companies that you choose to travel with and check the reviews carefully. Once you arrive, you can either walk down to the city or catch a taxi, but beware of the taxi drivers trying to rip you off! Once you reach downtown, you will arrive at the beachside backpacker haven.

Cross the waters to Koh Rong Island

Take your journey that bit further and take the boat to Koh Rong Island. Get surrounded by backpackers lodging along the beachside and jam in the many beach bars by night with other festive backpackers.

Play survivor by crossing the jungle and walking 6km to stay at a bungalow

If you are a bit more daring, pack your bags and do a survivor trek over the mountain in search of the bungalows where they filmed the survivor series. It involves a 6km walk, but the sights are well worth it.

Proceed to Angkor Wat

One of the majestic wonders of the world, Angkor wat is a must see place for anyone who decides to visit Cambodia. These legendary ruins tell the story of the ancient Khmer civilisation. See the temple in all its glory during the sunrise and by sunset.