Cambodian Island Retreat: Koh Ta Kiev, Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samloem
After a few days in Siem Reap, I was excited to be heading for the islands in southern Cambodia.
When Sean and I decided to head for the islands from the mainland, we had no idea what to expect nor any particular direction in mind. Luckily, he asked around at our hostel, and found three other guys who recommended and wanted to join us to Koh Ta Kiev.
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| Arriving in Koh Ta Kiev |
We set out for the island on a snorkeling tour, and after diving for the afternoon we convinced the captain to simply drop us off and leave us on the island.
After hiking with our packs through the jungle for a bit, we found a treehouse bungalow for rent for the night. Initially the bungalow wouldn't comfortably fit all five of us, but then after hanging two hammocks to accommodate for everyone, our week in secluded paradise began.
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| Sean and I hiking through through the island to our Treehouse |
We initially agreed that two nights in this island paradise would be nice, but two quickly became six.
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| Our Treehouse Bungalow Home |
All I can say for those days and nights, which were absolutely lacking in any normal amenities (though there was minimal electricity and water), is that I couldn't have been happier.
From the huge bonfires that the boys built on the beach to trekking to the Absinthe distillery (I thought that was only made in the West), the week was perfect. Each day was dotted with swimming, fishing, new friends, endless card games, live music, laughter, reading on the cozy balcony, and just relaxing.
On Wednesday afternoon, we heard that there was going to be a Full Moon Party on Koh Rong Samloem, a nearby island, the following Sunday. Knowing that we all wanted to head that way, but at a loss for how our "island life" levels of motivation would ever allow us to coordinate such a migration, we decided to discuss logistics over dinner.
We didn't want to make any hasty decisions. We needed time to reflect and think about our options. Suddenly, there was too much going on. We decided to take the night and think.
Then we re-discussed our options the next day.
And the next.
On Friday, after a busy day of making sure all of the hammocks would sufficiently support afternoon naps, someone received horrifying news - we might have gotten the Full Moon Party day wrong. All this talk of planning for nothing! Was the party Saturday or Sunday?! No one knew.
Frantically, we gathered the troops for a quick meeting.
"Seriously, we don't want to miss it!" someone solemnly started. "We really should go check this Full Moon party out!" This was met with passionate cries of affirmation from the group.
Then it was decided for the fourth, and final, unanimous time: yes, let's go tomorrow.
Now that our week's biggest challenge was settled, we once again retreated to the shaded hammocks to relax after the stressful afternoon.
Then on Saturday, we, along with two island additions to our travel family, mustered all of our strength, donned our backpacks, and headed back through the jungle to catch a boat to Sihanoukville. From there, we got another boat to Koh Rong, where we arrived early Saturday evening.
To say we were proud of our accomplishments was an understatement! After we arrived, we set off down the beach to find a place to stay, and then began to celebrate our relocation.
The Full Moon Party, which turned out to be on Sunday night, was extremely fun! With our group and other travelers we met, we danced and partied the night away. Before we knew it, the sun had risen and it was time to return to Koh Rong and finally rest.