After another draining and unanticipated day of travel via a morning ferry from Koh Rong to Sihanoukville and five hour bus back to Phnomh Penh (complete with me JUST making the impatiently waiting minibus), I jumped in a tuk tuk toward my destination – the other Mad Monkey hostel.
I had changed my plans after a disappointing night in Sihanoukville and was heading to the much-anticipated Koh Rong, which I had heard was an incredibly beautiful backpackers party paradise, like ‘Thailand thirty years ago’. I hoped I would have more luck there.
I had heard extremely mixed reviews of Sihanoukville, from Adventurous Kate who dubbed it “the ultimate backpacker party paradise” to other bloggers who likened it more to a seedy cesspool. Yet I was prepared to thoroughly enjoy it and spend a few nights before heading over to my most anticipated destination – Koh Rong.
Siem Reap reminded me of a far more mellow and pleasant Koh Samui or Phuket. Although noticeably less developed, it was much easier to walk around, and the food and drinks were cheap.