The capital of the province of Koh Kong Kong (sometimes Kahkong or Konkong) is this first point that travelers attend travelers after crossing the border of Thailand, which, by the way, is within walking distance of the city. Old calm town, Krong Koh Kong (which, as a rule, is simply called Koh Kong) is located on the West Bank Koch by - a wide river that crosses the bridge (built on Thailand's funds, by the way), which you can always drive about 1,200 rielels, If you are on a motorcycle, or 4800 rheel, if on the car.
Koh Kong - Sleepy Coastal City, where there are not so many tourist attractions. However, this is a comfortable base, if you are interested in aquatic walks, waterfalls and beaches. The city also became the center of eco-tourism and starting point for the jungle trekking.
For many decades, the village of this province was almost not contacted with the outside world. The terrible absence of any infrastructure, traces of the actions of the Red Khmer, who were loosened here in the late 1990s affected the reputation of the area: Koh Kong was considered one of the wildest, the least studied regions of Southeast Asia and no one came here at all.
In those days, the military from Thailand was desperate in the province of the province, and private "investors" used the situation - the large sections of the forest were cut down, they ignored them and used the goods in every possible way. District Chi Phat, in particular, especially suffered from predatory cutting and poaching.
However, the American Cambodian Association Wildlife Alliance returned to the life of the district: In 2007, all the hunters in the village were retrained to the guides, because they knew all the hidden corners of this forest, many local families turned their homes in small maintenance, and indeed almost everything here now They work for this one of the most promising associations in the field of ecotourism of Cambodia.
Today, new roads are creating a province, and new bridges crosses the numerous rivers of this area. A variety of bars and restaurants are glad to meet their guests. It is worth noting that for the city of this size (small, then you mean), in Koh Kong, in fact, extremely many bars (mostly, they are held expata from the West) - these institutions are primarily aimed at those who arrived from Thailand Understand the visa.
In short, the places where you can "get rid of" a refreshing cocktail and exposions, with whom you can chat here, there is a lot of. Nevertheless, you should not expect that there is some incredible stormy life. Not a day or night. Even despite such a close neighborhood with Thailand, it's pretty calm here. And the better! So great renting a motorcycle or bike, ride along the banks of the river, sit in fish restaurants, breathe fresh air.
If you arrived in Koh Kong, do not rush to go back to Thailand or further in Cambodia. Purchase here, and in the morning, go to a waterfall or a remote beach - at least it is exactly done if you find yourself in the town. But, if you are lucky and you are not in a hurry, you can go to explore the local jungle, or, again, "check out the taste" all the beaches of the city and the area. They are so beautiful!
Travelers can (and should) come here to admire the variety of flora and fauna of this area - there is one of the largest arrays of the rainforest of Southeast Asia, where about 60 disappearing animal species live, including those who are threatened with the extinction of Asian elephants, Tigers, Siamese crocodiles and crochet gibbons.
And the provinces belongs to the almost intact civilization of the 12-island archipelago in the Siamese bay, with sandy beaches and crystal clear greenish blue water. Some of the islands are already inhabited, more precisely, hotels were built on them. In December 2009, for example, on the island of Koh Totang, a small Nomads Land hotel was opened, and Belinda Beach Resort was built on the island of Koch Resort - now one of the most fashionable towns of Koh Kong, with stone bungalows, cracked bougainvillees, pools and terraces. Straight Paradise!
The positive and harmonious relations of the tourist sphere and the usual daily life of local comrades are presented in the best form on these islands - so, most likely, it will never be too noisy, pop and crowded. In hotels, the islanders themselves work, and tourists do not cooperate with the annoying guides, but by local fishermen who certainly know all the secret beaches of the area and the best places for swimming.
For more active tourists, you can proceed with Chi Phat, where the charms of Cambodian rural life are pretty. About 2500 people live there. The village is located at the foot of the southern slope of the Cardamon Mountains, approximately 17 km from the sea, up mangrove and bamboo coastal river thickets.
Wooden houses on piles, painted in blue and mint colors, high palm trees, smiling children, hurrying to school on an inappropriate big bicycles, important Herons, strolling directly on the backs of buffaloes in neon-green rice fields.
Pictures, of course, impressive, and you need to go here with the most powerful chamber, so that it was able to transfer all expression. These environmental initiatives seem to work. Last year, Chi Phat welcomed 1228 visitors, which is almost 50 percent more compared to 2009. In general, this useful and pleasant work of residents receive the necessary income, which allows them to live all year round in the village, ensure education for children and take care of health.
Those who have already ride in Cambodia, and for the first time goes to this area, is necessarily impressive. It is just guaranteed. Tourists write that "this is the most untouched beauty of the country area."
Along with bars and beaches, Koh Kong can be offered enough hotels as in the city center and down the river. Competitive prices.
You can pay here in Thai bays, ripels or US dollars. You will find at least a dozen exchangers on the outskirts of the market, which offer surprisingly good exchange rates, but you can easily do and dollars, do not worry. Currently, there is only one ATM in the city, and it only accepts Visa cards.
In general, I would like to note that if you stay here longer, then you can something like that, about what I would not want to paint with template poetic phrases.