With the ongoing turmoil in Thailand, many tourists are wondering where to go for their exotic beach vacations this summer. The answer is easy: head next door to Cambodia, where the prices are cheaper, the land is more pristine, and the people are friendlier.
If you want to combine relaxation, delicious food, and exotic locations with a true cultural experience, try one, or all three, of these amazing Cambodian getaways.
Koh Ta Kiev, Island Paradise
Just a short hop – 45 minutes by boat – from the tourist frenzy of Sihanoukville lies another world. The island of Ta Kiev has no roads, no running water, no WiFi, and no electricity. If this sounds like paradise to you, this is your spot.
The island is dotted with a few tiny, privately owned resorts, all offering accommodation in simple huts, where a bed and a mosquito net are about all you can expect in terms of luxury.
You also get spectacular views of crystal blue sea which you can soak up all day long while swinging in your hammock.
We stayed at Ten103, where the cabins are strung along the beach, hidden from each other by thick jungle. Each one is built high on stilts, using only fallen wood from the forests – no trees were harmed in the making of these cabins. You have to be nimble to get to bed, since a simple ladder is the only way up. The height keeps you safe from jungle creatures and the peering eyes of other island guests.
The cabins have no front wall, leaving nothing to obstruct your view of the pristine water. It also allows maximum access for the afternoon breeze, which acts as natural air conditioner, making the cabin pleasantly cool in the hottest part of the day.
There's nothing much to do on Koh Ta Kiev, except stroll along the beach, jump in the water, or spy on the fishes swimming around your toes. At night, you can swim with phosphorescent plankton, which light up the water as you splash by. It's a magical experience. Don't miss it.
At Ten103, meals are served three times a day at the waterfront bar and restaurant, but you can order the basic but tasty fare from the menu at any time.
Since there's no refrigeration, save for the huge blocks of ice carted from the mainland by boat each day, ingredients are brought in fresh from market or pulled directly from the sea. Expect generous, tasty servings of grilled fish, creamy Cambodian curries, and fried rice and noodles.
Shared squat toilets and bucket showers filled with chilly well water are the extent of the bathing facilities, so be prepared to discard your usual beauty routine in favour of a simple island-friendly alternative.
Cabin per night: $20-25
Meals: around $20 per person per day
Cocktails: $5
Kampot, Civilised City Break
A charming little colonial river town, Kampot hits the sweet spot between tourist destination and liveable city. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to serve a variety of tourist tastes and budgets, including a great selection of Western food to satisfy the weary traveller's palate. Read the rest of the article and see more amazing pictures here.
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