One of the best day trip around is to Bokor National Park
it needs to be in good condition since the trek up there is rough and steep but the reward is worth it, don't do this with slippers! It seems that all this is still under military control, we even had a soldier with a machine gun with us (2013). There is great nature waiting and a incredible panorama over the coast and ocean from the burned ruins of the casino at the top of the hill. |
| National park trekking at Bokor |
 |
| Trekking and protection |
 |
| Bokor National Park Tour at the Casino |
 |
| Bokor national park waterfall |
 |
| Waterfall pool at Bokor |
The national park is in Kampot,
 |
| Kampot Coast |
Bokor should be on any travel plan when visiting the country, its only a few hour with the bus from Phnom Penh over a good road to Kampot. Tours are available every day, just talk with the hotel they arrange everything.
 |
| Bokor Hill Station |
A young man is our tour guide for the trek at the Bokor National Park in Kampot, the idea is to trek up the mountain to the hill station.
The whole road from Kampot
 |
| Up at the hill station casino |
The basic road into the park is already finished and also the asphalt cover is done but the trekking group climb down from the back of the truck and off we go into the quiet forest, the truck will move on without us and wait a couple of kilometers further up at the meeting point we will reach in about 2 hours.
 |
| Trekking tourism in Cambodia |
The thickets are very dense from time to time which makes the walk difficult on top of it there are constantly sharp broken bamboo pieces popping out from the earth i guess everyone can imaging what happen when losing balance and fall into this bamboo spears, means good shoes are mandatory and some gloves will avoid cuts.
 |
| Cambodia trekking |
Beside of this there is "Dirt Bike Adventure",
considering the bad condition of the roads or often no road
at all, but a small trail dirt bike tours make sense, read more.
 |
| Dirt Bike Adventure |
Misty view of the coast,
looking down from the plateau to the southern coast is a breathtaking experience. The best viewpoint is behind the blackened walls of the Palace Hotel and Casino. It is possible to book accommodations at the hill station at the Ranger HQ.
 |
Casino playground of French colonialists |
Bokor National Park - Cambodia Travel Guide
Cambodia Adventure Tours
The challenge for real adventurous dirt bike trails is increasing in popularity with people on Cambodia tours.A special one made into the south to the Bokor national park is below, rentals are available but it is strongly recommended to be on a group to do this.
 |
| Cambodia Adventure Tour |
For mainly two reasons, first it is very difficult for a foreigner to find right directions and second if an accident happen (very often) it can be a matter of life or death. Motorcycle tours are for sure a ideal possibility for adventure travel.
 |
| Cambodia Motorcycle Tours |
The shop above is in Phnom Penh 136 Road Sisowath-Quay, there are also some at Koh Kong and Siem Reap.
It's hot, I'm tired, filthy and my limbs are aching.
I sit in the dirt, head lolling, trying to grab a bit of shade. I take my helmet off and toss it into a bush. I've had enough. "Not too far now," says my cheery guide and tour leader, the wonderfully moniker Zeman McCreadie. "I know you feel like giving up, but when we get there you'll realize it's been worth all the effort." We've been in the saddle for nearly 3 hours on the way to to the ancient Khmer ruins at Tonle Bati.
I had first sat on a dirt bike six days earlier. In fact, if you don't count a couple of years riding a vintage Vespa around London, it was my first time on a motorbike of any kind. And there are certainly easier places to learn to ride a 250cc Honda XR Baja trail bike than the reckless streets of Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh.
By the time we set off the next morning for the abandoned 1920s French hill resort of Bokor, 130 miles south of the Cambodian capital, I am reasonably confident, though. Learning a new and potentially dangerous activity is made easier when you have a teacher who has patience and experience. McCreadie has both in abundance. Originally from St David's in West Wales, he ended up in Cambodia in 1994 after backpacking around Asia, and began dirt-biking the remoter stretches of the country. "You'd hear heavy machine-gun fire every night in Phnom Penh, and there was hardly a tarmacked road in the country," he says. "It was perfect for nutty dirt bikers." McCreadie, 32, set up a series of dirt-bike Rally Raids that took upwards of 40 riders for wild sojourns deep into the uncharted regions of a country devastated by years of civil war. "The locals treated us like we'd just stepped off a spaceship," he says. But this gang of unruly bikers also had a conscience, becoming involved with organizations such as Unicef and distributing health advice, medicines and condoms." Each rally had a theme.
We wanted to make a positive contribution to the places we passed through," says McCreadie, who has set up an adventure-travel company, Cambodia Expeditions, to extend this experience to paying customers.
Back on the road, the first of our tours to Cambodia leads to Bokor National Park. Apart from the potholes, stray cows, packs of meandering cyclists and veering, seemingly possessed, bus drivers, it is a breeze. The next two hours are decidedly tougher. "It's a steep climb from here, and the road is a mix of sand and large rocks. Take it slowly and you should be OK," McCreadie says as we reach the foot of the Bokor plateau. I ask if he had any other tips. "Sit as far forward in the seat as possible. That way your centre of gravity is more stable and you can steer by shifting your weight. Also, stay in first or second gear and, if you get into trouble, give it some throttle." I'm soon nervously motoring up the switchback trail at Bokor. Every so often my front wheel hits a large rock, causing me to lose control momentarily and my heart to skip a beat. I get up to speeds of 30mph, start swinging the bike around a little then nervously slow down again. At times we are in the midst of gargantuan trees and ferns. The next moment the track offers up stunning vistas of the plains below as we run along a sheer drop. The final destination is always the Bokor Hill Station at the Bokor plateau Kampot.
We near the top of the Bokor National Park plateau and a vast plain opens up before us. We head towards a series of ruined buildings, one is the Bokor Hill Station which had once been a hotel casino. "This used to be a high-class French resort," explains McCreadie, "but it's been derelict since the Khmer Rouge turned it into a fortress in the Seventies." Also the Bokor Mountain Church was looted and burnt.
A quick tour of the Bokor Hill Station Hotel Casino reveals bullet holes, tracer casings and burnt walls. Just in front of the old Khmer Rouge HQ, the Bokor plateau falls away into a precipitous 1,000meter plummet. A perfect spot for paragliding, I suggest to McCreadie. "We've thought of that, but the jungle below is still heavily mined," he replies.
The night is spent in the comfortable quarters of the rangers who patrol Bokor National Park. Our support vehicle has brought all the necessary supplies - good food and good wine. "I like to inject a little style," says McCreadie, as we sit around a candlelit table eating marinated pork steaks and drinking a decent Bordeaux.
With a good night's sleep under my belt, I complete the descent from Bokor in double-quick time. The next few days are spent visiting another old French hill station at Kirirom, looking for rare river turtles far upriver, deep into the Cambodian jungle, and improving my bike skills. "I saved the best part of this Bokor trip until the end," says McCreadie as we arrive several days later in the dusty town of Kampong Thom. "From here, we're heading for Preah Khan. It's a stunning place but it's a very difficult ride and the area hasn't been fully cleared of landmines." Landmines are one of the big problems at Cambodia travel.
The route to Preah Khan is legendary in Cambodia's dirt-bike scene. Mark Calafatello, a New York antique dealer and highly experienced dirt-biker whom I met in Phnom Penh, had failed to reach the temple complex on two occasions. "Not too far now," repeats McCreadie, as I pick up my helmet and strap it back on my sweat- drenched head. I open up the throttle and attempt to steer the bike through the sand, but it keeps sliding out of control. I am reduced to a crawl, eating the huge clouds of dust McCreadie's bike kicks up in front of me.
We make it into a small village, where I guzzle down a huge bowl of noodles in front of a large audience. Shortly after the village we reach the outer limits of Preah Khan. Large stone ruins covered in thick foliage loom out of the jungle - one has mammoth, ancient faces carved into it, stone-lidded eyes staring down. Everywhere areas are roped off, marked by red "Danger - mines" signs. "They are clearing the mines to open the area up for tourists," McCreadie explains.
We camp out in a simple, open, wooden shelter, with mosquito nets, mats and hammocks to provide comfort. Before night sets in, we explore the central temple: jumbles of giant, abandoned temple stones, knots of fat, sinewy roots,
Cambodia Adventure Dirt Bike Tours
Dirt Bike Tours, use the link further down.
intricately carved friezes, noble relics of a once mighty city, nestle evocatively in the gentle evening mist.
The morning ride back to Kampong Tom is a revelation. The struggles of the previous day are forgotten. At times I slide the bike sideways through the sand, my confidence growing. I have been forced to push hard to get this far, but the Bokor ride it has been more than worth it. Not only have I learnt to control a powerful motorbike in difficult terrain, I have also visited places few people have seen. Zeman McCreadie is right - it has been worth all the effort Cambodia Expeditions (07815 639 808, www.cambodiaexpeditions.com), organize tailor-made dirt-bike tours from novice to expert, inclusive of food, on-tour accommodation, bike rental and fuel, starting at $150 (pounds 80) a day per person (not including flights). Support vehicles can carry non- riders, and 4x4 and boat tours are also available. Travelmood (0870 066 4556, www.travelmood.com, ) offer five nights in Phnom Penh at the four-star Sunway Hotel, including return flights from London Heathrow, from pounds 645 per person based on twin share. Independent on Sunday, The, by Andrew Spooner, Copyright Independent Newspapers UK Limited, Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.
Cambodia Adventure Tours - Cambodia Travel Guide
Ochheuteal Beach is the most popular at the seafront of Sihanoukville
This is the top waterfront in Cambodia when counting visitors and infrastructure, hotels resorts, apartments, restaurants, bars, nightlife and activities. The seafront extends into Serendipity Beach.Busy day and night. During daytime its sand and water during the evening and into the night its BBQ, bars, lounges, restaurants, plenty of action and fun. It reminds a bit to Patong Beach at Phuket, but no go go bars and not dedicated bar girls.
 |
| Ochheuteal Beach View |
 |
| Ochheuteal Beach Activities |
 |
| South China Seafront |
This area has one great advantage to other destinations in Asia, it offers almost everything what the others have but on a much lower price in a great tropical setting.
 |
| Cambodean beach massage |
 |
| Cambodean Seafood |
There are plenty of foreigners running tourist related businesses because in Cambodia they don't have this problem as in Thailand where foreigners cant do anything on their own. Letting foreigners handling the job immediately improves a lot and also less problems are arising, that the same in Myanmar or Burma, country which has plenty of similarities to here.
 |
| Dinner at Ochheuteal Beach |
 |
| BBQ at the beach |
The beach is the front-end of many hotels resorts, guesthouses and bars.
Especially in the evening there are open air BBQ restaurants serving fresh seafood, pork and beef. Drinks such as local beers are also low priced. All this together gives a worry free vacation just as the people like. The only real problem is the roads except the main road are real bad.
 |
| Beautiful Sihanoukville Beach |
Ochheuteal Beach Sihanoukville - Cambodia Travel Guide
The best accessible beaches in Cambodia are around the coastal town of Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville beaches are either directly accessible by road or a little bit further out on the islands via a boat. Infrastructure around wont match neighboring Thailand but is not so bad with some exceptions.The country just started to develop as a beach destination infrastructure with hotels of various comfort level slowly emerge, don't expect a similar situation as at Patong Beach Phuket and other places in Thailand its quite different.
This is a sleepy coastal town around 230 km southwest of Phnom Penh.
 |
| Sihanoukville Waterfront Map |
 |
| Travel by Bus |
How to travel there by bus
it's either by car, bus or motorbike. Buses are plenty, some are old others not so bad. It is easy to explore the whole country by bus without major problems they connect all major cities several times a day. What makes it even more interesting, it's very affordable, read more.
 |
| Ochheuteal Beach at Sihanoukville from east |
 |
| Ochheuteal beach from west |
 |
| Nightlife at Ochheuteal beach |
Around are several major beaches. Starting from the North, is Victoria beach, Independence, Hawaii, Serendipity & Ochheuteal and behind Otres.
Nightlife is also not as busy but not everyone wants this anyway, the waterfronts are quite nice and quiet.
 |
| Hawaii beach Sihanoukville |
 |
| Sunset at Hawaii beach Cambodia |
Sihanoukville has no past, it was placed on a cleared piece of jungle in the 1950 ties to build the countries only deep water port. A good bus service out of the capital makes it easy to go there quickly and enjoy the place.
 |
| South China Sea Waterfront |
 |
| Beach Massage |
The waterfront is perfect
for family vacation and for individual traveler, there is no mass tourism yet. This is the seaside destination for many from the capital, just as Hua Hin is for Bangkokians. Its also not far from the Thai border at Koh Kong, the place was not much affected by the civil war.
 |
| Sontepheap guest house & restaurant |
Accommodation are plenty, from the primitive guesthouse, cottages, hotel, resorts everything is here and what makes it especially interesting all is very affordable since prices are relatively low, a good guesthouse is available from around $ 15,- per night up to the best accommodation in the area which is Sokha Resort for mare than around $ 100,- this prices are floating.
 |
Accommodation at Serendipity Beach |
 |
| Relax at Otres Beach |
 |
| Otres Beach |
Otres Beach is next to Ochheuteal to the east, a very pretty place, but again the road to approach the waterfront is a bad dirt road. When I asked a tuk-tuk driver to carry me there he refused telling "I don't want to brake my bike", I finally rented a scooter for $ 6,- per day and went around.
Although everything is very basic is has it's charm, read more.
Although everything is very basic is has it's charm, read more.
The waves of the South China Sea
are rather small and the water is clear since there is no real pollution except some trash littering places from time to time. When diving to snorkeling is on the plan the best is book a tour with one of the ships they know where the best places, usually around the islands are. It is necessary to go like this, since here it is not like in Thailand where on such tourist spots usually a dozen longtail boats are around to bring you anywhere, don't miss the opportunity for such a dive and snorkeling day trip its one of the best things to do in Sihanoukville.Staying at the waterfront
is great but exploring the totally pristine islands in the vicinity is even Greenery is often bamboo jungle. A good idea could be to rent a dirt bike and go on a adventure ride but never do this on your own only, the terrain is rough and is easy that something happen the best is again to do it within a group, there are several tour operators offering dirt bike day trips. There are lots of things to do in Sihanoukville.
Enough from the sand and water?
Sihanoukville Beaches Cambodia - Cambodia Travel Guide
Otres Beach is a seafront with an almost endless stretch of fine, almost white sand.
There are several rather primitive wooden cottages and some eateries, it has its charm but is very basic. Actually almost whole Cambodia is very basic but slowly it will morph into a reasonable holiday destination at the South China Sea along a picturesque coastal route.
Also the islands off Sihanoukville,
some are visible from the waterfront, are a prime location for diving and snorkeling, the water is full with colorful tropical fishes around coral reefs. This is the main reasons tourists’ visit this area in the south. This is not a famous waterfront but a good strip of sand for a beautiful day, the long coastlines makes it a nice place.
After all this problems in the past people welcome travelers since they are more or less the only one who bring some money in beside of fishing. There are no luxury resorts around, the only one at top level is Sokha Beach, but some rather primitive cottages also can serve the purpose. Otres Beach is ideal for a day trip, when taking a scooter it’s just a couple of minutes from most accommodations.
The warm tropical waters of the South China Sea
offers safe swimming and no problems, except at monsoon times which is a bit different than in Thailand, definitely an almost all year round pleasure and other great hangouts. Enjoy multicolored tropical sunsets with the whole color spectrum and barbecue where the fresh seafood is grilled in front of you, it’s real fresh, they catch it every day in the morning.
It seems as it have been some attempts to do some development since there is a somehow modern ruin about 50 m inland, the building looks somehow like the ruins at Bokor, maybe they abandoned the project who knows, it’s a constant coming and going.
As indicated earlier the real problem in the country is the infrastructure means even at places like here the roads are lousy and hardly anything works but Sihanoukville is the prime beachfront area in Cambodia.
Otres Beach Sihanoukville - Cambodia Travel Guide
Sokha beach has the top Sihanoukville resort in the back
The place looks very similar to the former Regent Cha Am at Hua Hin Thailand. Which has not much to say, the place looks nice, its functioning and its good. The result, its full with guests who pay some more money for that and employees earn a good salary which is not so easy in the southern part of Cambodia. |
| Sokha Beach at Sihanoukville |
This is a well maintained stretch of sand with a good vacation spot a bit further behind, no plastic bottles and no hawker who can become a real pain when trying again and again to sell their stuff and don't care on any arguments telling them leave me alone.
 |
| Sokha Beach Overview |
This place is an enclave of the western world in the country to keep trouble away such as electricity break down and other.
 |
| Sokha Beach Resort Waterfront |
Here you can have a great vacation in a tropical Asian country.
Since this resort has a good central location it is easy to go anywhere, the building is a blend of different styles and architecture seen in Thailand, it’s a beautiful place with a panoramic surroundings. It is the only high end accommodation in Sihanoukville, prices are not low, naturally, but if someone wants a high standard and no problems, that’s the place to go. |
| Sihanoukville Beach Resort |
There are plenty of flights to Phnom Penh every day so it makes some sense to try a new destination. This is not a remote destination anymore, its about 3 hours with a bus from Phnom Penh and the main roads are not so bad with some exceptions. A real pristine Asian travel destination is waiting, low priced and full of excitement.
 |
| Sihanoukville Map |
Sihanoukville beaches are the oceanfront destination in the country and this beach is topping them since that is more or less a private beach which doesn't meant non residents can’t come in, they can because it is still owned by the state and the hotel is an ideal backdrop for drinks, food, spa and massage. Since this place is quite big it’s not overcrowded at any time, just enjoy the sand which touches the South China Sea and the area has a good weather pattern. Even when showers come down sometimes the sun be quickly shining again. As it burns very strong, especially together with the reflection of the water surface staying to long out will bring sunburn anyway. Nightlife at the beaches cant match Thai nightlife but its quite ok.
Day trip to the Fishing village,
 |
| Fishing Village at Sihanoukville |
which is only a few minutes by car or bike is an excellent option to get some impressions. This is top notch world tourism offering various facets of a great country.
 |
| The fishing village |
The right place for beach combers who have a passion for a tropical aura. Since the country had a high culture in the past plenty can be seen and experienced. That means local dancing with gorgeous ladies moving their bodies extremely slow but the eyes very fast, it’s totally different to anything we have in the west.
If you have enough of Sihanoukville beaches take the bus to Phnom Penh a modern metropolis on the Tonle Sap river with a strong French influence in terms of architecture. There is the National museum, the Kings Palace and the nightlife along Sisowath quay with plenty of great restaurants, bars and cute nightlife girls, this might be interesting for a single traveler.
 |
| Plenty of monkeys |
 |
| Ochheuteal Beach Sihanoukville |
Sokha Beach Sihanoukville - Cambodia Travel Guide
Tatai waterfall is not a real waterfall its an area of limestone rapids
about an hour drive north east of Koh Kong. Whatever the definition it looks good and is the right place for a day trip, actually a half day would be enough either because the place is very close to the main road to Phnom Penh means the road is good.
Only when leaving the main road its a red dirt road with a hard surface and the distance it rather small which makes it a ideal quickly.
The best is, just take a taxi motor bike in front of the hotel negotiate for not more than $ 20,- and move, this way the local guy also can get some money, he knows where to go, problems to you are far away, means this is a win win situation.
 |
| Tatai Waterfall Koh Kong |
The place offers a breathtaking panorama without a crowd
as it is visible at the pictures below. As it is visible here that's not a waterfall but an assembly of rapids which wont matter anyway since it is a pleasure to look at, its pristine and beautiful. It is possible to swim above the rapids and below, the current is low, an ideal place to spend some |
| Tatai Waterfall River |
 |
| Tatai Waterfall Stream |
 |
| Sre Ambel further north |
Tatai Waterfall - Cambodia Travel Guide
Đăng ký:
Bài đăng
(
Atom
)
.jpg)
