Guardian competition top beaches. Koh Rong Cambodia

In todays Guardian there is a feature of the best beaches in the world. Admitting some people might be biased they are nice photos. Here are the pics and some comments about Koh Rong Cambodia
https://witness.theguardian.com/assignm ... mic_231930

Koh Rong - Cambodia

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Hop off the coast of Cambodia near Sihanoukville and you end up on Monkey Island a.k.a. Koh Rong. DidnтАЩt see many monkeys if IтАЩm honest, but there were plenty of other sights and events. Quite simply this had the whitest sands and clearest waters of any location we sojourned. The pictures testify to the purity of this paradise; punctuated only by the predisposition of us tourists to party. But unlike so many other areas in Asia, this island hasnтАЩt felt the full force of the western hordes. Remnants of a life-style lost are still present in the area; tourism rules the day now тАУ just like so much of Cambodia тАУ but the rustic beach huts, nightly fish BBQs and partially traditional dress styles just hint at what it could have been like to reside on an island such as this. With barely any power there is little else to do here than read a book, sip a cocktail, or head out on a local tour; for example fishing or diving. The nightlife isn't overpowering here, like other tourist islands, and the night sky was the best light show on the island тАУ oh apart from the bioluminescent plankton (which actually didn't make the best of appearances for us). There is still a pseudo primitive existence, underpinned by long passed down tradition. Only recently overruled by the overpowering introduction of western ideals and materials. Finding the тАШrealтАЩ island Asia lifestyle is difficult, but this amalgamation of cultures is more than sufficient for the perfect island getaway.

ledit21

Koh Rong - Cambodia

Koh Rong's near deserted Long beach offers an amazing sunset, brilliant white sands, crystal clear waters and the most stars you will ever see in the sky! Camping here was an amazing spectacle!

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Robinson in Cambodia

Koh Rong Saloem Cambodia

After a 3 hours boat journey from Sihanoukville you arrive on this тАЬdesert islandтАЭ. The place is mostly designed to accommodate divers but beach bums are also welcome. The accommodations are basic but make you feel like Robinson, simple bungalow nearly on the beach with balcony, clear warm sea, and sizzling hot sand. You can see the sea from your bed! There is only electricity in the evening for about 3 hours. The rest of the time all you have to do is lie on the beach, swim, read or if you are really adventurous then walk through the jungle to the other side of the island. The last boat leaves the island at 4.00 in the afternoon, after that you are on your own for the night. Well almost. Communal diners with fellow shipwrecks, guitar playing, story sharing, beer drinkingтАж You might even have to share your bungalow with a few hairy companions!
Boat transfer was $20 and the bungalow was also $20 a night.
Robinson Bungalows on Koh Rong Saloem

http://www.diveshopcambodia.com

Bruno Ouvrard

Hi,
Rong has developed so quickly, back in 2005/6 there was nowhere to stay outside of a hammock in the village, real desert island time. Then the government granted permission to develop the island with an airstrip and high end villas, then the credit crunch in '08 put that on hold, although they did start a bit on the western tip. But in the last few years things have really quickened up on the island.
Rong Samleon has had a couple of places for far longer and is rather less backpacker orientated, but that white sand on Rong is pretty special. Ko Lipe in Thailand used to be similar but overdevelopment and boat traffic has destroyed a lot of coral and the sand is grittier and greyer than it used to be as a result.
Cheers