After a two-week wandering around Cambodia and visiting all sorts of monuments and attractions, we wanted peace and rest. Initially, we were supposed to fly to Thailand, but we found out that there are two nice islands in Cambodia and worth visiting. It sails from Sihanoukville. I thought, it is not far, from Sihanoukville also there are planes to Thailand, if we don't like it, we will come back and fly to Thailand.
We are in Sihanoukville Cambodia
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Until recently, a small and quiet village, a popular destination in Cambodia, from which it flows out to one of the most beautiful islands in the world - Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. Unfortunately, that was the case a few years ago.
Today, Chinese investments have ruined the local environment, destroying the beauty of a small coastal town. Gigantic hotels, shops and casinos are built, everything is poured with concrete in a blind pursuit of money and domination. This is the wrong way, but who will stop the rich?
What are the reasons for such gigantic investments? Well, Sihanoukville is one of the most important ports in Cambodia. More and more Chinese began to move to the city. In 2018, they accounted for 20 percent of the city's population. As of this writing, it is definitely 50%. Cambodia seems to have been blinded by the very rapid economic growth, and it does not notice how slowly I am becoming a Chinese colony. Small local family businesses are failing, the magic of which has always attracted tourists. The local population is being displaced massively, and instead of their homes, a hotel is being built into a hotel, a casino is a casino and concrete on concrete.
*Local food vendors stroll through the clouds of dust*
It's an unpleasant sight, but within a few dozen minutes by boat, there are two beautiful islands: Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, which are still defending themselves. Until this year, there were no asphalt roads on the islands, some electricity, and that was the magic of this place. But from reliable sources, from friends working on the islands, I learned that the big Chinese paw is already catching up with Koh Rong. They start their investments by building a gigantic road along the island. Just wait for hotels, casinos and all the concrete infrastructure from Sihanoukville to appear - only for the rich.
We sail from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Island. Goodbye concrete, hello white sand.
https://youtu.be/o7t-CGDoeII
Koh Rong Island/Wyspa Koh Rong
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10 years ago, there was a flat coastline in the background. Today's Sihanoukville - view from Kog Rong Island.
*The first day on Koh Rong is fabulous*
To be continued
Cambodia - Sihanoukville, March 2020
Photo: Panasonic Lumix
Video: Go Pro Hero 7 Black