Cambodia's Beach Areas

When we originally visited Cambodia in August 2012, the then Manager of Hotel 9, advised us of the beach areas around Cambodia to visit, in fact he put together an itinerary for us, including recommended hotels to stay in, so on this return visit we decided to make use of this inside information, thus seeing a new and different side to Cambodia.   We hired a private car to drive us the 4 hours (no planes fly this route currently, but they are looking to in the near future) to Sihanoukville.  We found the accommodation ok, but not as we had expected and it was rather touristy.  Unfortunately I got sick on the second day and spent the next two in bed.  The boys and Aaron explored the local area and beach.  Feeling better the next day we took a tuk tuk to the recommended beach area, we were spend a great day relaxing, boys swimming and playing in the sand, good food and the compulsory beer (only for Aaron as I was obviously sick as I didn't have any)  The next day Jordan was feeling a little under the weather so him and I stayed at the hotel (it was raining anyway) and Liam and Aaron found a hotel with Xbox 360, so both were happy.  Upon their return Aaron and I found a great bar directly across from the hotel called the Purple Midget.  We ending up staying late into the evening and participating the local quiz night, which was very entertaining.  The next day we departed for Kep about 2 hours drive away.  This is a very sleepy settlement, which reminded us of Akaroa before it was developed.  Our hotel was right on the beach front and as it was monsoon season, there was only us and one other couple staying.  Kep is famous for its seafood and pepper fields,  so the first night we ventured to the seafront where we had a magnificent dinner.  Aaron had local crab, Jordy prawns, Liam squid, me pork, beer, wine, milkshakes all for under $50.  The next day we did an island tour to Rabbit island, which was very tranquil and relaxing, the boys spent most of the day in the sea swimming,  it has local shacks for restaurants, serving everything you could want.  It was a great day out, followed by another spectacular dinner the same restaurant with large servings of seafood for everybody (except me who ate more pork, anybody would think I currently live in a country that doesn't have pork, oh that's right I do!!!)  Then is was time to head back to Phonm Penh for the last two nights for last minute shopping and final goodbyes to our Cambodian friends.  It was once again with heavy hearts we left Cambodia.  We will be back.

Phnom Penh

With only myself and the boys for the first three days, I had googled things to do with children in Phnom Penh, which included a western style shopping mall which had toy and DVD shops and a 4D ride, so after a quick market visit for me to do some much needed retail therapy, off we went. The boys loved the 4D ride so that was added to the list of things to redo when Aaron arrived.   Also amazingly enough for a third world country they had recently opened a Kidz City, which included laser tag, rock climbing, adventure playground and an ice skating rink (far more than Brunei offers).  The rock climbing was almost identical to clip and climb in Chch, great for the boys as they haven't done any since we left, it also had a Gloria Jeans coffee shop so a good morning was had by all of us!!  The next day we headed back there again and this time played laser tag (which I lost) and then the boys had a great time on the adventure playground.  The days were easily filled in before Aarons arrival, however we were all looking forward to it.   Once again we decided to celebrate Aarons birthday early (as he is busy studying still so no time in Brunei to do it).  Our challenge to the boys was to try something new in every new country we visit, last time in Cambodia Liam tried frog, this time in the markets he ventured even further and tried beetle, followed by Tarantula!!  Which he ate two of, much to the disbelief of other on looking tourists.  I tried one leg, Jordan wouldn't have a bar of it , Aaron helped Liam out on his first one,then Liam ate the whole second one himself.  Then  Liam shopping enthusiastically for a present for Aaron,  Jordan was happy with what I chose for him. Aaron had been going on about an iphone5 so a plastic replica was purchased for him.  We all played laser tag, then the boys went rock climbing again, followed by lunch at another of our favourite restaurants called the Laughing Fatman (which the boys thought was appropriate for Dad) they have great pizza and cold beer. Then back to Hotel 9 where the boys painted their hands on the wall, the money for this goes towards helping save children in Cambodia from exploitation.  That night we took Ly Ly (our favourite Cambodian person) out for dinner with us to Aarons favourite restaurant on the riverside. Once again they were serving 1.5 litre glass jugs of beer 2 for $3 US during happy hour.  The food is among the best we have eaten in Cambodia.