Koh Rong & "The Crossing"

As we arrive at the office waiting for our bus to take us to the ferry, we look around and realise we are 1, two of the oldest people there (well Steen being the eldest!) 2, one of the only couple and 3, a lot of groups of drunken lads and girls… hmmm…

The bus ride with all passenger bags at the front blocking us in! Plus the girl behind throwing up! 

As we arrive in Koh Rong, we see in front of us just off the pier what looks like a dingy village on black sewage sand with hostels and restaurants covering every part of the beach with signs for ‘happy’ time (smoking ‘happy’ Tabaco) and cheap cocktails. Asking a holiday rep where our hotel was we hope it is not in this place; luckily they explain it is further up the beach. As we walk up with our bags, the difference was incredible! It was like an invisible line had been drawn in the sand and we had walked from a gloomy town to paradise! The sand was white, water crystal blue and a calming atmosphere! Phew!

Paradise Bungalows were stunning bamboo bungalows on the hillside with views overlooking the sea and although a few problems with bed bugs and moving rooms three times, we had a lovely time! With kayaking, sunbathing, eating breakfast listening to classical music and drinking the best iced coffee I’ve tasted it was again a hard four days! Plus the two free breakfast and large glasses of wine made it even harder ;)

THE CROSSING!

As we awoke on our final morning on Koh Rong I noticed the noise of the sea. Not normally this loud, we went down for our workout and decided perhaps the ferry was not going to be the best way to get back to the mainland today as the sea was particularly rough. Knowing we get a little seasick, we opted for the speedboat at a small extra cost.

With myself thinking it weird the sea was rough today, Steen decides to tell me that he had heard the owner of the hotel telling another customer not to take a boat ride today as the moon was in a specific position creating the tide and sea to be choppy… Thanks for letting me know Steen!!

As the speedboat arrives at the port, the boat it being tossed about trying to anchor up to let passengers off and on. When it finally is close enough a big Russian man struggles to step off as the boat teases him getting close to the pier and then suddenly moving further away, stretching his legs he holds on for life and manages to clamber off the boat… at first he looks angry but as he consoles himself, he started laughing out loud shaking his head walking past us he states ‘That was the most exciting boat ride I’ve ever been on… never forget!’ and walks off the pier still laughing… What have we got ourselves in for?!

As we go through the same routine getting on the boat - basically jumping on hoping not to fall in the water! We stand at the back as the horizon moves up and down and we think to ourselves, this is going to be a bit of a rough ride!

Rough ride does not come close to what ‘The Crossing’ felt like! As the boat starts to speed off it begins to bump up and down lifting high into the air through the 8 – 10ft waves while they tower above us! Side on to the waves, the boat tilts side to side, smacking the waves as they crash in the middle of the ocean! Needless to say I was absolutely terrified absolutely sure we were going to capsize gripping one hand onto the back of the chair and the other onto Steen creating yelps I did not know I had… this may sound dramatic however I will assure you Steen will justify how big and rough these waves were! He was amazing of course and as we reached the other side it was as calm as a millpond; you wouldn’t have a clue what we had just been through!!