Life is a beach

We arrived in Sihanoukville by bus in the early morning hours in a downpour.  The bus driver unloaded our luggage into a puddle while tuktuk drivers argued over who had the right to take the tourist to the far reaches of Otres2 beach and squeeze every dime out of them.  Loading our wet backpacks into the taxi we started down the potholed, rain soaked road and we were aghast at the garbage strewn  ditches that lined the way.

The bungalows we had rented were tiny worn out places at the farthest end of Otres beach supposedly a 30 second walk to the ocean but it had been raining for 6 days in a row and the short walk to the beach involved walking through red clinging mud knee deep.  Our Australian friends who had stopped in Phnom Penh to see the killing fields were due to arrive later that day and we didn't look forward to explaining that our choice for a rest up was a disaster.

The deck behind the bungalows right on the river

Note the BBQ where we would cook every second night

Our bungalows, $15 a night

High tide

Low tide

High tide

Low tide

But when we got to the beach it was love at first sight.  If you carry in your imagination a picture of a tropical paradise where you can sit by the sea sipping from a coconut and watching the sunset, this is it.

Six kilometres of beach, the water so warm it was like a bath.

"What a queer ocean" he said,  as the water lapped at his thighs.

I think this dock was destroyed by pier pressure.

One of the many strange fruits that grow everywhere.

Most evenings sitting in a beach restaurant enjoying a 50 cent beer

with friends and watching the sunset and afterwards back to the 

shack for a BBQ

This Is Reach our favourite barista on Otres2 beach.

Sihanoukville is blessed with white sand beaches, relatively untouched tropical islands and is Cambodia's number one seaside resort.  While tattooed, back packing pirates head to the party zones of Serendipity beach, wiser more genteel travellers head to the gorgeous white sands of Otres2.

Sucking in the Buddha belly 

On a hike looking back at the beach

We often stopped here for rehydration on our treks into town

Serendipity beach, more commercial the closer you get to the city

Took an excursion to three different Islands, snorkeling, swimming,

and cliff jumping.

G'day mates,  we've been learning to speak Australian

Cliff jumping anyone?

Notice how much the rock looks like an elephant

The town of Sihanoukville itself has little to recommend it but does feature some fun restaurants like the swinging Monkey Republic and the Big Easy.  It also has some supermarkets and outdoor markets where we bought all our BBQ and breakfast supplies.  It was six kilometres from our bungalows to the city and we developed a habit of walking there along the beach and taking a tuktuk home with our shopping.

Sihanoukville

Phnom Penh we unexpectedly enjoyed immensely.  It is a vibrant happening city with surprising flair.
The entire city is a huge construction site, with decent restaurants, cheap hotels, a friendly expat community and the nicest people in all of southeast Asia.  The Cambodians have a laid back attitude and love to laugh.  They are constantly making little jokes and trying to elicit a similar response.  Loved them.

Phnom Penh and the mighty Mekong running through it

Our rooftop pool

Eating with the locals in the central market

The river walk

Took the ferry forth and back across the Mekong for less than a dollar

Phnom Penh is one big construction project almost all with Chinese money

Shanty town along the river

Doing the peepee dance.

Change of plans.  After listening to travellers tales we decided to leave Southeast Asia for a while and head off to fabulous Sri Lanka for a month long tour.  See you there.