Paradise Found

I had almost written off Cambodia. Until Koh Rong Island. For a $20 round trip boat ride (2 1/2 hours) and a $20 a night bungalow, we found a heavenly beach paradise of small bungalows, beachfront dining and NO HAWKERS! The kids greeting us at the pier didn't even beg or try to sell stuff.

We started the boat ride with a bartender Mickey from another bungalow (only four on this beach) who went to the island for just one night six months ago. Got a job and never left. She is also a part time actress in Canada which we looked up and is true. Kinda random!

For you Pops, looks like a nice fishing spot eh?

But she raved about it and rightfully so. The stretch of beach was white, clean (not perfect but better than mainland's trashy beaches) and quiet. This is probably what parts of Thailand were like back in the 70's before overdevelopment.
The most developed section:

We explored, took a cooling dip and then showered for wood fire pizza at Treehouse Bungalows. Here, you can stay in a small treehouse with amazing ocean views.

Afterwards, we stopped for drinks at Monkey Bar, another easy-going bungalow bar and met some fun travellers, played drinking games with our ladyboy bartender and cooled off for an amazing nighttime swim.

But this wasn't like any other nighttime swim. Every time I kicked or paddled or made any movement, I illuminated hundreds of small, sparkling green phosphorescent plankton and basically felt like you were a cooler version of the Green Lantern. It was by far one of the coolest things I've ever done. Over an hour later (it was seriously that entertaining), we hit up the late night bar before heading to our bungalow.
Pretty nice!

The next day we ventured back to the picturesque northern tip of the beach and spent many hours lounging, swimming, reading, napping and doing all those things you dream about when you have a bad day of work (yes I can still remember those even if it has been over six months since I've worked!).

A bulls gotta bathe too!

I had to tear my approaching crispy body away to catch the return ferry at 4, sad to leave. The only downfall were the minuscule sand flies who periodically stung your skin, otherwise, I'm realizing we experienced a small plot of paradise which won't last for long. Mickey stated that they already have plans for a runway, road and monster resorts which will undoubtedly charge much more than $20/night. Such is the problem of searching for paradise... everyone else is too. The sun setting over the back of the ferry was a beautiful ending to a wonderful beach getaway.