A Day in Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Sihanoukville's (also known as Kompong Som) main attractions are offshore islands and beaches around the headlands. The group headed out in a converted fishing boat to spend the day swimming, snorkeling and relaxing around the islands in the Ream National Park. None of the islands have been developed yet.
ex-Marine and I just headed out of the Jasmine Hotel after breakfast for a long walk along the beach to town. The beach was moving and grooving already with many Cambodians enjoying the very warm water, riding banana boats and building castles in the sand. Many lounges and little restaurants along the entire stretch. Drugs can be had freely in this area and it wasn't unusual to see signs for "Happy pizzas" and/or "Happy" anything. The "Happy" is usually marijuana put in baked goods and sprinkled on pizzas. Big warning -- if you do buy drugs, it may be a set-up and prepare to spend years in a Cambodian jail. That is not a "Happy" thought.
This was definitely not the cleanest beach we'd ever been on. From just the few days spent in Cambodia looking at all the trash, why did that not surprise me?
Off the beach and on to the street, the morning school classes had just let out and these two cute little girls promptly attached themselves to ex-Marine. The two little ones walked with Steve, holding his hand and taking turns holding on to his shorts...View image... until we reached their turn-off to home. Such a heart-warming experience.
Continuing on to Seeing Hands Massage 3, on Mondul 3, Sangkat 4, for a blind massage. The masseuses are all blind and are trained for six months in Japanese Am Shiatsu massage. My masseuse was Ratma, blinded at age 3 by measles. Just think. Measles! Something so easily prevented in the developed world by innoculation. You can have an hour, 1-1/2 hour or 2 hour massage. My 1-1/2 hour massage was painful but wonderful. The cost? $7.50.
Next door to Seeing Hands Massage 3 was the very cute and clean "Holy Cow" Restaurant. (Hey...hey...Harry Carey...) A good lunch and long walk back to the Jasmine Hotel where the group had returned all nice and sunburned with glowing reports on their unspoiled island. The sand and water there were pristine. Hope Cambodian development doesn't spoil these places. With prices like these, it can't be too many years before Sihanoukville becomes another Phuket...View image...
Sam recommended the Sea Dragon Restaurant for dinner, a short walk away from the hotel. The Sea Dragon was only adequate and several of our group confirmed our opinion the next day. Take a pass. The only really delicious meal we've had to date was at the FCC Club in Phnom Penh.
