Koh Rong Sanloem

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Koh Rong Sanloem
Native name: កោះរុងសន្លឹម
Koh Rong Samloem estuary.jpg
Koh Rong Sanloem estuary
Koh Rong Sanloem is located in Cambodia
Koh Rong Sanloem
Koh Rong Sanloem in Cambodia
Geography
Location Cambodia - South East Asia
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Length 9.5 km (5.9 mi)
Width 1–4.8 km (0.62–2.98 mi)
Coastline 37 km (23 mi)
Highest point 202m
Country
Cambodia
Province Sihanoukville
District Mittakpheap
Commune Sangkat 5
Demographics
Population around 300, quickly growing
Ethnic groups Khmer

Koh Rong Sanloem (Khmer: កោះរុងសន្លឹម, also Kaoh Rong Sanloem) is an island off the coast of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, 4 km (2 mi) south of Koh Rong island. It is around 9 km (6 mi) long (north to south), 4 km (2 mi) wide (east to west) and 1 km (1 mi) wide at its narrowest point. Its distance from the local port of Sihanoukville is 25 km (16 mi) (beeline) and 23 km (14 mi) (beeline) from the Serendipity/Ochheuteal beach pier.[1] The word "Sanloem" translates to: 1. drowsiness[2] and to: 2. far out and hard to discern, in a wider sense.[3] Inconsistencies on how to spell the island's name in its Latinized version date back to the 19th century. The first controversial spelling variants were issued by map makers during French rule. Alternatives have since become widespread and are in common usage. Often confusion ensues as Google Maps offers the phonetically most consistent variant,[4] whereas Google Search redirects to an alternative.[5]

Koh Rong Sanloem lies within Sihanoukville province's Mittakpheap district in Commune 5 (Sangkat Koh Rong). Alongside its sister-island Koh Rong it has developed into a popular holiday destination for individual travelers. With respect to the island's very tiny population, the tourism sector is by 2014 the core economy.

In 1975 the crew of SS Mayaguez was shipped to Koh Rong Sanloem, detained and interrogated by Khmer Rouge soldiers during the Mayaguez incident.

Geography

The island resembles its northern sister, Koh Rong in many ways, although it has noticeably less landmass in relation to its coastline. The terrain is predominantly hilly with a few mountains of moderate size (e.g. La Chameau - The camel). The interior is almost entirely covered in dense jungle. The coastline is characterized by a succession of sandstone rock formations and beautiful beaches. There are three yellow sand beaches at the island's long western coast. Its eastern side, facing towards the mainland and less exposed to the weather and the monsoon, is characterized by bays and headlands. A very attractive feature is the crescent shaped Saracen Beach bay with an inner diameter of around 3 kilometers. Saracen bay got its name from a British survey brig, HMS Saracen, that charted the area in the late nineteenth century.[6] North of the island lies the uninhabited Koh Koun island, followed by Koh Rong.

Settlements and infrastructure

There are two discernible villages on the island; one in the north, called Ma-pay Bay (means 23 in Khmer) and one in the south, called Koh Rong Sanloem Phumi Kang Khnong (kang khnong means inside in Khmer), which is little more than a fisher's hamlet. Another little hamlet is situated in the southwest, called Phumi Kang Krau (Village on the outside).[7] There used to be a basic road network, built during the period of the French Protectorate, which is by now almost completely overgrown with vegetation. Sole reminder of this period is a lighthouse at the island's southern tip. Depending on the season, some structures that resemble a landing field near the light house are still recognizable.

Most transport is being done by boat, although the island's very narrow center permits water buffalo carts to operate. Koh Rong Sanloem is not connected to the main power grid, nor to the internet, although there is local mobile phone coverage. The island is home to a base of and is administered by the Cambodian Navy.

Tourism

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File:Saracen Bay panoramic view, Koh Rong Sanloem, Cambodia, June 2014.jpg
Saracen Bay beach panorama

As of 2016, Saracen Bay has established itself as the main tourist area on Koh Rong Sanloem, with more than a dozen bungalow and villa resorts.[8] Accommodation and prices range from cheap dorm beds to modern villas with air-conditioning, wide-screen TV’s, comfortable beds, and en-suite bathrooms with a hot shower and a western toilet.[9] Other notable tourist destinations include ‘Lazy Beach’ and ‘Sunset Beach’ (located on the western side of the island), and Ma-Pay Bay (located on the northern side of the island).

There are two main ferry services between Sihanoukville and Koh Rong Sanloem: TBC (45-75 min) and Speed Ferry (40 min).[10] Both services leave from the Ochheuteal (AKA ‘Serendipity’) pier in Sihanoukville. There are also a couple of ‘Slow Boat’ services that take 1.5 – 2.5 hours. These services depart from the local port of Sihanoukville and the piers at Serendipity beach and Victory beach.

Currently there are no banks or ATMs on Koh Rong Sanloem, though its neighbouring island Koh Rong now has an ATM.[11] Therefore travellers to the island are advised to bring cash in order to pay for food, drinks, accommodation and any activities. Businesses that are operating on the island appreciate small denominations as it can be difficult to give change for large bills. [12]

Wildlife

The island's formidable jungle is the ideal habitat for a great variety of endemic invertebrate species. Vertebrates are less abundant and, typically for island populations, are small in comparison. Amphibians and reptiles are the most numerous and the island's brooks, ponds and streams are home to a variety of small freshwater fish. Birds include the great hornbill, the kingfisher and the osprey. There is a group of macaques living on the island and rodents are very common as a consequence of human activities. Small reefs and the rocky surface of the surrounding waters are home to a remarkable variety of marine species. Divers and snorkelers regularly emphasize the presence of delicate miniature eco-systems, seahorses and nudibranches are particularly diverse.[13]

Gallery

  • "Nestour 1876"

  • beach tree house at Saracen bay

  • Koh Rong Sanloem during rainy season 2014

  • crab on Saracen Bay Beach

  • Mont Chameau (camel)

  • Saracen Bay Beach lagoon

See also

References

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  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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Koh Rong Sanloem travel guide from Wikivoyage

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