Cambodia Secrets of Sihanoukville?

One of the worst held secrets is the rapid emergence of Sihanoukville Cambodia as a major Asian beach resort town. Many that have been here in the past would smugly say I told you so, as to all it was readily apparent that this quiet little coastal beach town had all the makings for a long time now. All that is needed is more flights into the now open Sihanoukville airport; as soon as there is a direct flight from Bangkok; watch out this place is going to blow!

Three things make Sihanoukville especially appealing and you should take every opportunity to see Sihanoukville now before it becomes overrun, which it will in the very near future.

A 5 Star luxury Hotel Under $100

Sokha Beach Resort is a 5 star luxury beach resort that has it own long private beach, a pool the size of a small lake, a staff to guest ratio of 4 to 1, and all the other amenities that you would expect from a 5 star luxury beach resort for under a $100 a night! This price I can assure will not last for long. If your budget is under $100 a night there are lots of other Sihanoukville hotels and guesthouses available near the ocean with more being built at a furious rate.

The Sihanoukville Islands

The islands have always been the real secret there are not many places in the world where you can go to and have this many large undeveloped islands. This will be the area that in the next ten years will see a large growth spurt similar to what happened on Koa Sumui, Koh Phangan and now Koh Chang which incidentally is the closest islands group in Thailand to the Cambodia Thai border. It makes sense that Koh Rung Samleom and Koh Rung will see major things in the next 3 to 5 years and the Koh Tang groups do to its isolation, beauty and excellent scuba diving and water sports, will be the real Shangri la in the future.

Real money, make that Riel money.

The Cambodian economy is based on the US Dollar. What this means for you is ridiculously lower prices compared to a lot of other tourist destinations in South East Asia. Thailand being an excellent example as the Baht continues to get stronger despite a military junta running the country, and a major Muslim uprising in the southern three provinces, that has seen over 2500 killed in just a few years of on going guerrilla warfare. One of the reasons stated for the Junta to take power was to try to get that situation under control which from the news reports that do manage to come out of the region that they are no further along to a solution than they were a year ago.

The increased value of Korean, Malaysian, Singapore, Japanese and Chinese money against the US dollar make Cambodia even cheaper for the regional tourists with Koreans being the fastest growing sector of the tourism market. And the Asian tourists like a lot of things on offer in Sihanoukville including legal gambling and an abundance of very cheap seafood.

You know, I should also mention that despite what the biggest guide book says, it has a lot of really nice beaches to chill on.

Backpacking Southeast Asia - Thailand, Cambodia and return travel tips

Planning a backpacking adventure in Southeast Asia? If you try, on his return from Thailand to Cambodia and not the plan back on track? Here's an alternative route for backpacking in Cambodia, with which you can see the sights without backtracking.

Most backpackers who travel by land to destinations such as Cambodia, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh to see, end up taking the bus to Bangkok, do check out the sites, then take the bus or plane. Getting Startedour path, we also suggest the bus to Siem Reap to Bangkok, change the border. After a few days to check out Angkor Wat, take the bus to Phnom Penh. While in Phnom Penh, a tour of the Killing Fields and understanding of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime.

Phnom Penh, take the bus to Silhanoukville. Silhanoukville is one of Cambodia's main beach destinations for locals and backpackers. After a few days on the beach isIt is time to return to Thailand. To avoid returning to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in the morning boat from Sihanoukville to Koh Kong Express intercepted. Then take a taxi to the border, for a bus on the opposite side of Hat Lek. From Hat Lek, take another bus to Trat. From Trat take a taxi to Laem Ngop over the capture of a local boat Ko Chang.

Now that you have reached Ko Chang, spend some time on some of the most beautiful beaches, Thailand has to offer. Ko Changknown for its diving to check so sure. To cancel the return trip, head back to Trat and then by bus to Bangkok.

This route can also be easily carried out in reverse order.

Overland to Cambodia during the rainy season in Thailand, a great adventure prize

Most people who know, unless you are looking for a spiritual awakening, will not groped the seemingly impossible journey by land from Thailand, Sihanoukville, Cambodia to Bangkok in the rainy season. They, instead, take the boat, affectionately nicknamed the vomit comet on lumpy which is generally faster and allocate less adventurous. The boat should travel with my choice, but with a relatively small category 5 typhoon abuse in central Vietnam, I had to do to make aScheduled flight from the new Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. Typhoons usually a double blow, as the rivers were rising, and so I could forced to back down Phnom Penh and fly to Bangkok.

This journey began with great promise, with the sun shinning, and a few special arrival 15 minutes late. I felt perhaps the ghost tours have been on our side, with a big smile on my face at the edge of town Sihanoukville, where all the drivers on the side of the meetingpointing the way towards the van, laughing uproariously. A short few minutes later I noticed by a passing driver to pull furiously signaling for us to find out our best bald tires was flat all ready!

As the trip started so early, and that a conscientious hiker, I decided to have breakfast, and was looking for a restaurant along the road situated just 10 meters from the machine. I ordered a coffee, have not, then I put the rice soup special, which only by coincidenceFortunately for me, the only thing on the menu. I began to dig furiously on our pit crew to beat in F1 training. One way optimistic, I hoped that I use for a long trip before the next stop, I tried the toilet attraction of this road well, a truly natural wonders, was a tree in a swamp located near a swamp full Pig Pen, with the grunting their inhabitants joyfully raucous approval for my efforts. Without doubt, the poisonous snakes and spiders removed fromTrees enjoyed the show. No problem here with long lines for girls to hang fuss with her make-up.

Here we go again, without sparing time or tires, turn off the paved road and beyond. The road starts in pretty good shape, made with only a couple of holes for the first 10 meters or so, and then start the rough. Apparently our van before the trip was, as the parties maintain that the fall of luck in the bracketsneed to keep them. So we stop more often, to a mixture of witchcraft and rescue rolled wire to keep the road apply.

We make our first crossing of the river homemade contraptions that a ferry would bring sentimental tears to the eyes of a mad scientist who shuttled back and forth on the brown goop. The scenery was so spectacular that one of our passengers fainted and his head slammed into the ground with a thud, as the bass drum. The girl there with glass eyeswas done immediately to put up with her boyfriend, the French began to kiss, and some 'of sex occurs in pat as well, and begins with the cheap sex with her breasts in a parody of the CPR. I trained in this kind of things observed, which was breathing and told to stop them before they explode or implode from the chest or assistance, or consider a hotel room caused embarrassment because they were locals who are not really used strange to westernZion group orgies in public, on ferries, in the middle of the day, but you could see some interest in this activity by young teenagers who were all lined up, money, and chickens in his hand.

Across the River and into the woods, and you go in the jars! Where our spa, where we started, the fare-paying passengers to get a first-class mud slide our van very strong back and forth, flying with different colored clay and stones everywhere. After only10 minutes, you get round the van in the right direction. As a second mobile Woodstock, for the next four hours, we get variations on a topic that is obtained through the hills put put down the hills, you get around cars and trucks stuck all ready, go and put some crews Making Mud Pits construction going deeper and deeper into a serious attempt to make the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest artificial marshes again!

Surprisingly, only 3 hours later than we said we wereArrival at the border of extras seemed terribly wrong by a remake of Lord of the Flies gone. The Thai Customs guys to show us their version of the 4-clock follies and broken in the same ride we started our journey. You must set the value of laughter in a Cambodian adventure like this love, or you might want to take a cheap flight instead.

Asia's new Beach Resort Sihanoukville in Cambodia

In Cambodia, Angkor Wat, the main draw for tourism is today, and rightly called the crown jewel of Southeast Asia, the temples 40 square kilometers "of the temple is famous all over the world, but now see more people of Cambodia and the other word of mouth, is that the rest of Cambodia, worth a visit. The seaside resort of Sihanoukville to do is quickly becoming a destination in itself, with many islands and parks and things, and to walkexplore and boat trips and snorkeling, waterfalls, hiking through the jungle in a hammock and chill in the park is a quiet beach diving book. Culturally is to give the markets, the local temples and schools, where time and money to educate children come.

Sihanouk Ville is a 5-star resort in its long kilometers of private beach. The pool could be classified as a small lake and is almost visible from space, with a full deck justsmall island. The hotel is only 2 years old and has a staff guest ratio of 4 / 1 The prices for comparable hotels in Southeast Asia would be much higher.

If you're a budget traveler then Sihanouk Ville are the place well, there are many rooms with air conditioning, hot water, refrigerator and cable TV for $ 10 - $ 20 per night and if you want a place to stay for 6 months or more can a business visa at the border to be released on request and stay as long as you want to work,about $ 1 per day for the extension of the visa, so the city attractive to the retired and semi-retired.

Backpackers and Sihanoukville, with a couple of places, beer, 50 percent of high and cold food at a good market for $ 0.50. Some are also found work as a bartender and work in the restaurant. Backpacker Hostels start at free, free Yup, everything you want is one of your meals in the accommodation and food prices will have to buy cheapest $ 1.50 and 2.50 per plate.

A local expertExpat guess is that there is no longer in possession of Western companies in Sihanoukville per capita than anywhere else in Asia! Many come, guest houses and hotels, places small bed and breakfasts, restaurants and bars and small towns start with a couple that pop up on the islands off the coast. Want to have your Fantasy Island for a week to rent Magic Iceland?

Logistically, everything you need here with reliable electricity, Internet, and the WesternMany Asian restaurants and specialty foods with the tastes of Western travelers in mind, seafood prepared Thai Khmer, Vietnamese, French, Italian, German, Russian, Indian, Sri Lanka and others will follow soon. English language schools, many in Sihanoukville, you can almost always find someone who speaks English if you need it.

The money was used to obtain a problem, as we go into the bank to bank holidays and 26 days in the calendar cambodian, you canstuck with the cash for a couple of days, there are now ATMs in Siem Reap-Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Sihanouk Ville and Battembong. You can only change in all currencies including the Yen, Euro, Baht, Kip, Dong Sing and dollar. Dollars and cambodian Riel, the two most common currency in use.

Sihanouk Ville is always easier to get international flights to Bangkok and really cheap regional flights to Phnom Penh. Flights to Sihanoukville are very closeReality. Buses from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville to you within 4 hours for a great American road built. You can also taxis and vans is to move groups of people, and a range of water based form Bangkok to Trat Had Lek - Yai Klang border to Sihanoukville. You could also get here on a cruise ship as a place Sihanoukville are on their routes.

The islands of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand are mostlyuninhabited; related Spartan isolated fishing villages with populations generally less than 100 people. An 'island of Koh Tang, only 7 people and would take most of the day around, so if you're on a desert island, trying to get online to work on your coconut sculpture and the ship in a bottle capacity is not here there are many to choose from, bring your own hammock and Gal Friday or can be bought here in Sihanoukville.

Cambodia in the past alwaysseemed to bring terrible images of past disasters, the Khmer immediately at the end of the Vietnam War. Even today, the genocide in Cambodia is still the news, while the country to put his court is hoped the events behind it,

One of the few advantages ambiguous recent past was that Cambodia lost all the heavy industrialization that experience with other countries in the region, particularly Thailand and Vietnam, which means thatfor pollution, than to lose one of them. A United Nations fact-finding water in Asia, he added that Cambodia was only 3 areas of concern for the quality of sea water near the shore, where, like Vietnam and Thailand had problems with sites allocated for mostly from industrial pollution and shrimp farms. This may change, unfortunately, is an oil found in Cambodia and started the drilling of exploratory wells has. So now a good time to come.

Since Cambodia is moving forwardFuture, it is obvious that most of that future in Cambodia is tourism. Cambodia and Sihanoukville beach resort to paraphrase the song "the future so bright in Sihanoukville that your gonna need sunglasses

Cambodia Cheap Travel "Motodops" bus and taxi flights

travel in recent years in Cambodia has a lot less stressful than the years of continuous improvement of roads and taxi buses "Motodops" (in short: Moto) teeth went running at higher speeds and not the body was trembling, talking odyssey more for the most part. The main exceptions would have voted the way to Angkor Wat Poipet on the road the worst in the world for over ten years and the land route from Bangkok to Trat to SihanoukvilleThailand. With more tourism, which is growing at double-digit for many years, some of the flights and flight paths in Cambodia passengers more potential than the competition that has resulted in some of the cheapest flights to Cambodia for a long time have increased.

Cambodia coaches, is the mini-bus and bus big business are always forced to a higher quality and new bus companies to improve their old set to compete. Taxisuch as the Western tourist demand to improve a better quality, you can be pretty sure there is a taxi that a minimum standard that is much improved from ancient times has encountered. I remember one time he took a seat belt and secure behind the shapes of the doorframe, so that it is completely useless, this type of change was not unusual, nor was it uncommon to suffer from massive headaches in a mini-bus to suck exhaust gas for hours and hours openrear door.

"Moto" aggravate rather than tourists, especially for the constant rip-off and now there are a lot of "you wrote" These guys are just as bad as the "Touk Touk" driver in Bangkok, and if you avoid using one that will be much happier trip.

Cambodia Cheap flights are now common and there are more flights within Cambodia, and the flight to neighboring Thailand and Vietnam and Singapore, the hub serves as regionalfor low cost flights.

As always in Cambodia, alert, where you will notice if something seems wrong, it is often trust your intuition and do the smart thing.

Vacation Rentals Madness in Sihanoukville Cambodia

While the holiday season blooms Sihanoukville became a madhouse. Hotels and B & Bs are usually full and we are still a week away from the main peak holiday that is sure to occur. Vacation major western Christmas and New Year, many of the NGO community and dwell in Phnom Penh reaches the beach to enjoy the sun and sand with their families and friends. Many Cambodians by the growing middle class of Cambodia on the beach to come on a regular basis,inflation of madness Region.

Sihanoukville is fast becoming a major Asian destinations with a transition from backpackers, flash and more meat packer compression groups and tourists mainstream self-directed. The airport plans to open soon, and most visitors come to Cambodia, Sihanouk Ville and low prices, and atmosphere that is used to find in Thailand 30 years ago

The promise of next year will finallycame here in Sihanoukville, as many thought that this seaside city would take off years, but with a little help from the government, and deadlines for the repeated failure of the airport opening, it never quite hit his hand. Also planned but then canceled a golf course has been complex, which many considered in conjunction with the airport, many tourists would be well healed to get to Sihanoukville. Another way for tourists in the city comes from cruise ships which are not, butPeople from cruise ships off only a few local buses or even deported and flown out of Phnom Penh to Siem Reap for a night journey to Angkor Wat, its impact is for all intents and purposes zero for the population live and work in Sihanoukville. Even local leaders that the vessels in service from Phnom Penh.

Next year will begin an additional burden on housing and infrastructure such as oil companies are gearing up to scale are madeProduction. Sihanoukville is the only deep water port in Cambodia, will be the default is the center of the efforts of the oil industry here in Cambodia.

Cambodia bus - a new attraction in Asia?

When the first of the Bohemians began the rediscovery of the Kingdom of Cambodia after the Vietnam War, the streets had only one term rather easily track quagmire without end, Axel break, broken sump oil pan, in this

To early to give great attraction for millions of years become known, is the road between Sre Amble to the border with Thailand in Had Lek, as we cruise through one of the largest, only slightly looted the jungle primeval forests leftin the world. This vast area covering millions of hectares, with different water raises very different. You will be hypnotized by waves of dense foliage that black and silver fade into shades of gray green, possibly with the clouds, with little or no sign of fusion Mans today.

Today, three of four major bridges that cross the river in the past are open to the memorable fourth was promised to be consistent with the Khmer New Year. The adventure of these places the river is reached, while at the same timeyou can do so from Phnom Penh to Bangkok in just over 12 hours and today the best you can do is about 16 hours.

Since the buses travel distance is still easily the cheapest way to go to Bangkok, expect anywhere from $ 25 to $ 30 are charged, for example, from Phnom Penh to Bangkok, compared with $ 75 + with airport tax increases in fuel prices for cheap Bangkok flights on Air Asia or Bangkok Air

Enjoy the landscape has always been one of the true treasuresTravel to Cambodia as fly sit on the ponds sparkling rice Sugar Palm sentinels to you so that the mental images of lasting memories of this exotic country.

Diving in Cambodia - More Fish & Less Divers

If there is a saying that diving would speak louder for Cambodia would be more fish and less divers. If you look at the map of Asia, South East, is surrounded by great diving Cambodia. You have Vietnam known for its coral and Nudibranchs soft, and Thailand known for diving in two different water bodies, the Baltic advertising, famous for its leopard sharks and lion fish, and the Gulf of Thailand, with its hot waterwhere to see the whale sharks, and an assortment of reef fish such as bream, parrot fish and angel.

In Cambodia you have 2 PADI Dive Center and a smaller boat with a few diving instructors SSI, CMAS, NAUI e. Go to Koh Toa in Thailand, and has only a small island 35 dive schools. Koh Chang has over 20 dive schools and less than 100 miles as the crow flies of Sihanoukville, where immersion inCambodia. The only difference between Koh Chang in Thailand and Cambodia is a political border, you guessed the fish do not need a visa, and May Be on the limit, which want, without having to go through passport control.

Cambodia reefs are relatively flat and not near the islands, with some notable exceptions Condor Reef, 6 hours from Sihanoukville and Sponge Factory, which is one of Koh Rung and Koh Rung Samleom. Its use should be wrecks, but wererecovery of scrap. The U.S. Army is looking for "MY" Tang probably a helicopter from the north-west of Koh, I'm missing, but local fishermen and dive operators as it is to have a helicopter to recover metals the most expensive, ie aluminum, titanium and magnesium. Recently, a Chinese junk wreck was found, but is under government control, and need special permission to dive it.

The islandsKoh Rung Group is where most of the day, diving in Cambodia, and can be reached two hours, in the frame. Most dive operators to leave at 8:00 clock and again at 4:00 after an hour two or three dives. On these islands are huge schools of snappers and fusiliers. Schools of batfish orbital often following divers to the dive sites. Since the pages are not so deep, many dives lasting about an hour for the divers to betterAir consumption.

The group is going to Koh Tang is located about 4-5 hours depending on tides and diving are generally deeper and the visibility is almost always double what you see on the day of dive sites with visibility of 40 meters in a way, every time there, with the average at 20-25 meters. Although a lot of rain falls, diving at Koh Tang is good, you can see where two meters wide fur sailfish, tuna &'s cobias be to arrive atlong. white-bellied sea eagles and dolphins are also seen here.

Asia's Newest Beach Resort Sihanoukville Cambodia

     In Cambodia, Angkor Wat is the main draw for tourism today, and rightly so, called the Crown Jewel of South East Asia the temple complexes' 40 Sq Kilometers' of temples is famous the world over, but now, more people are visiting the rest of Cambodia and the word of mouth is that the rest of the Cambodia is worth a visit as well. The Beach resort of Sihanoukville is fast becoming a holiday destination in its own right, with lots of islands and parks and things to do from hiking and exploring, scuba diving & snorkeling and boat rides, water falls, jungle treks and chilling in a hammock in a quiet beach park reading a good book. Culturally there are the markets, the local wats and the schools, where many come to donate time and money towards educating the kids.

     Sihanoukville has a 5 star resort on its own kilometer long private beach. The pool could be classified as a small lake and is almost visible from space, complete with a bridge to its own little island. The hotel is only 2 years old and has a staff to guest ratio of 4/1. The prices for comparable hotels in South East Asia would be substantially higher.

     If you are a budget traveler then Sihanoukville is your place as well, there are many rooms available with air con, hot water, refrigerator and Cable TV for $10 - $20 a night and if you want a place to stay for 6 months or more, you can get a business visa at the border on demand and stay as long as you like, works out to around $1 a day for the visa extensions, making the town attractive to pensioners and semi retired people.

     Backpackers also like Sihanoukville with a few places offering 50 cent tall cold beers and cheap food starting at $.50. Some are also finding work as bar tenders and working the restaurants. Backpacker hostels start as low as free, Yup free, all you have do is buy one of your meals at the lodging and the price for the food is still cheap $1.50 to 2.50 a plate.

     One local expert expat's guess's that there are more western owned business per population in Sihanoukville than any other place in Asia! Many are coming and starting guesthouses & hotels, small bed and breakfast places, restaurants and bars and small resorts with a few starting to pop up on the islands off the coast. Want to rent your own fantasy island for a week check out Magic Island?

     Logistically everything that you will need is here including reliable electricity, internet, and western restaurants as well as a lot of Asian European specialty foods prepared with the western travelers tastes in mind including Khmer seafood, Thai, Vietnamese, French, Italian, German, Russian, Indian, Sri Lankan and more coming soon. English languages schools are many in Sihanoukville, so you can almost always find someone to speak English when you need it.

     Money use to be a problem as you had to go inside the banks to get cash and with 26 holidays on the Cambodian calendar, you could get stuck with out cash for a few days, now there are ATM locations in Siem Reap- Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Battembong and Sihanoukville. You can change just about every currency including Yen, Euros, Baht, Kip, Dong, and Sing Dollars. US Dollars and Cambodian Riel are the two most common currencies in use.

     Sihanoukville is getting easier to get to with cheap international flights into Bangkok and really cheap regional flights into Phnom Penh. Flights into Sihanoukville are very close to being a reality as well. Regularly scheduled busses from Phnom Penh will get you to Sihanoukville in 4 hours on a excellent American built road. You can also arrange taxis and vans for moving groups of people, and an established over water route form Bangkok to Trat to the Had Lek - Klang Yai border to Sihanoukville. You might even arrive here via a cruise ships, as more are placing Sihanoukville on their itineraries.

     The Islands of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand are mostly uninhabited; you will find isolated Spartan fishing villages with populations normally fewer than 100 people. One Island, Koh Tang, has only 7 residents and would take the better part of a day to hike around, so if you are looking for that deserted island to strand yourself on, to work on your coconut carving and ship in a bottle skills there are many here to chose from, bring your own hammock and Gal Friday or they can be acquired here in Sihanoukville.

    The Cambodia of the past always seemed to bring up horrific images of the past misfortunes that the Khmers suffered at the end of the Vietnam War. Even today, the genocide in Cambodia is still in the news as the country has its tribunal to hopefully put the events behind them,

     One of the few backhanded benefits of the recent past history was that Cambodia missed out on all of the heavy industrialization, that the other countries in the region experienced, notably Thailand and Vietnam; which means that they missed out on the pollution that goes with it. A UN survey of the waters in Asia, that included Cambodia, found only 3 areas of concern for ocean water quality near shore, where as Vietnam and Thailand, had allot problem locations, mostly from the industrial pollutions and shrimp farms. This may change, unfortunately, as oil has been found in Cambodia and the drilling of exploration holes has begun. So now is a really good time to come.

     As Cambodia moves forward towards the future, it is obvious to most that the future in Cambodia is tourism. And for Cambodia's beach resort of Sihanoukville, to misquote the tune "the futures so bright, in Sihanoukville, that your gonna need shades"