Typically the hardest posts are about near perfect locations as you are afraid the words you utilize to describe the place will ultimately limit it. With that being said, the following post was d@mn near impossible.
Our bus from Phnom Penh dropped us off in Sihanoukville city center where we shared a tuk tuk with two others (an Italian and Australian) to serendipity beach. Dusk had set in so we negotiated a room for $8 a street away from the sandy shore.
The following morning, instead of hitting the beach, we gathered supplies (water, Pringles, and Cream Soni cookies) and headed for the port. Normally I would call our destination Island X and guard its location, as its greatest asset was the lack of tourists. Since International developers have an airport, golf courses, and all inclusive resorts in the blueprint, slated for completion by 2020 (construction to commence 2013) - I don't feel wrong in uncovering Island X as... Koh Rong. The island's 78 square kilometer currently houses two small fishing villages, four groups of bungalows, and many beautiful sandy stretches of beach. Each group of bungalows are built on different sides of the island. The oldest has been there eight years and the newest (Monkey Island - where we stayed) has been in operation for only a few weeks. The island has no infrastructure, roads, cars, or permanent buildings. Only sandy footpaths and thatch roofed bungalows. It is sad to know the bleak future for this paradise, worse (as we later discovered) was the sound of chainsaws already clear cutting land making it a stark reality.
The four hour boat ride docked just in time to drop our bags into our private bungalow minutes before the sun set.
Our second morning we set out on an hour long jungle trail crossing the island in search of a longer, whiter, and more beautiful beach, which we found.
Sunsets aren't the only solar spectacle on the island, on our last morning I awoke early and swung in the hammock watching the sun peak out over the vast ocean.