Sihanoukville

We crossed over into Cambodia with ease, although we were certain we were overcharged for our visas despite our caution in purchasing them. We were also told to pay a dollar each to sit in the minivan and wait to be issued a medical certificate, without the medics even sighting us. We passed through 'No Mans Land' where huge casinos lined the dusty streets, waiting to lure Vietnamese customers (gambling is banned in their own country).

Ha Tien International Border (Vietnam Side)

Our first impressions of Cambodia were of a poverty-stricken country as we bounced along dusty potholed roads lined with drying mats of harvested rice and boney white oxen.

Our primary destination was the port city of Sihanoukville, a stopover before and after our Koh Rong stay. Here we found dive centers and booking agents concentrated around the beach areas. Serendipity Beach had some potential, but litter and dirty rivers kept us from spending any length of time there.  

Seredipity Beach, Sihanoukville

We were warned about safety by friends and locals. We stayed alert and carried few valuables with us and found no trouble. A large majority of the tourist bars, restaurants and guesthouses were managed by western staff, and there seemed to be plenty of jobs on offer. A giant blue spotted Torkay gecko made an appearance at our guesthouse, but disappeared by the time we got the camera out. Once the weather conditions were right, we hopped on the ferry to Koh Rong Island.