Koh Rong Sanloem
Island is near the coast of Sihanoukville. The word “Sanloem” has two meanings: 1 – meaning “sleepy” and 2 – far away and hardly recognizable. The terrain is mostly hilly with several medium-sized mountains, the interior is covered with dense jungle, but the coast is characterized by a number of sandstone rock formations and beautiful beaches. There are two recognizable villages – one to the north and one to the south. The island is administered by the Cambodian Navy. There is her base too. The vast jungle of the island is a habitat for a large number of endemic species of invertebrate animals.
There are no roads, ATMs, the island is not connected to the main grid or to the Internet. Only coverage by local Smart Operator is available. All food, beverages, ice, bungalow equipment must be transported by boat. Rubbish is regularly dispatched from the island to the mainland.
7. 3.2018 – Journey to the island and our first night
After arriving by bus with a 1.5-hour delay we were expecting a move from the mainland to the island. We bought the tickets at Buva Sea (the trip was about 40 minutes long). The ride wasn´t bad for me at first, but the sea illness began when waves were bigger. My smile on my face turned into a tormented expression. I had 2 choices. I´ll survive it or there will be an accident on the boat. (PS: the ship was closed from all sides, so it couldn´t be done overboard) Fortunately, I survived it, I came out of the boat green as my T-shirt, but in a few minutes, I breathed it. Someone has luck because enjoys this ride, including rocking from side to side – for example – Martin.
After we arrived at the island, we were dealing with another problem. There is a problem with internet on the island and our operator didn´t work. It wouldn´t be so bad if we didn´t need to connect with our hosts. We didn´t know how the ships will be occupied and so we sent information: we will arrive maybe on the 7th or the next day on March 8th. However, nobody answered to us and we have been dealing with where to spend the night.
We said: it is a small island and a smaller village. People know each other, but when we looked for our host – nobody knew who is it. So we decided to spend one night in a shared bungalow. Well, because of the easier way of life on the island, it started to be a wildlife for me …
But in the end, we were lucky. In some way, when we went (to buy something for the midnight snack), we came across a guy – our host! He apologized for misunderstood our date of arrival with his girlfriend. We spent the night in the bungalow and moved to host´s bungalow the next day.
8 – 29 March 2018 – volunteers for three weeks again
We got this place thanks to Martin’s experience (electricity). Because Martin studied electricity at school – it wasn´t a problem for him. As soon as neighbor knew what Martin can do with electricity, he asked him for some advice. There was less work for me – but I think that I am quite a professional in painting. Varnishing wood, wall painting, and occasionally like a housewife when I was preparing lunch or dinner for all. To my luck, I was sick two times: two-day I had a cold with sore-throat and the next illness was the most frequent traveling “problem”. I had this problem during our traveling more times, but it was usually all in order in two days. This time, I felt sick for around a week and I ate three packs of activated charcoal (yes – total of 9 pieces per day). I felt really bad because during my illness we had an anniversary with Martin – 23/03/2013 – 23/03/2018 – 5 years together and 5 months on the journey. I wanted to spend together on the beach this day, have a good dinner in the evening, and then have some drinks – and finally, you know what happened.
In the end: The island and animals
I have to admit that on a person like me – who is afraid to go to the woods in Bohemia – I went through the jungle three times. Which I think is admirable, because when you get some information about the island, you will find out how many dangerous and poisonous snakes are hidden here. We got one valuable piece of information. If you see a snake – cut off his head! Just such a detail that I don´t usually go with a machete for walks … I never looked around on the way, I always focused only on where I was walking. Instead, my calming voice spoke to me – the snakes, spiders, lizards, and other creatures are everywhere around you, but they are definitely afraid just like you, so be calm and go!!! Well, I survived the jungle, but one volunteer came – specifically HUNTSMAN SPIDER (he waited next to my bed one night) and I can only recommend this: Never go to the toilet in the dark in the night and everytime check your things on the light!
Mr. Pju – the pet of all the inhabitants of the island. he is always in the right place where it is needed and I can confirm it from my own experience. When I was sick, he lay all the time on my bed and watched me …. what more to say – he was a loving caregiver 🙂
30.3.2018
Departure in the early morning (at 7:00 am) from the island and together photo.
