IN MY NATURAL ELEMENT // A photo diary of life by the sea
Shot primarily on film
Koh Rong is a dream for the budget traveller who loves the ocean. With pristine beaches, food shacks, and puppies all around, the island is nothing short of a coastal paradise. Time stands still in Koh Rong, where the days of the week don't matter. Every day's to-do list stays the same - sunbathe, swim, eat, repeat.
A 45-minute ferry ride took us from mainland Sihanoukville to the picturesque island. Upon arrival, we were greeted by huts and shacks lining the beach. These were just a few of the many cafes and bars in Koh Rong. We also found a number of kiosks selling both Western and Khmer food, as well as fruit shake stalls selling a cup for a buck. During my maiden trip to Cambodia, mango shakes were my best companions during the sweltering hot evenings roaming around Siem Reap. This time, however, I found that the best way to cool off from the heat was with a cup of Oreo shake, reminiscent of the "Oreo crush" drink that Singaporeans from my generation know and love.
Most of our time was spent sunbathing, reading, and then cooling off in the icy water. We lay on the beach soaking up the sun while time slowed to a crawl, only getting up occasionally to buy something from the food shacks when we felt peckish. Since the island's many hotels and lodges offer one-day boat tours, we signed up for one that included snorkeling, fishing, and luminous plankton viewing. In a strange turn of events, or perhaps sheer bad luck, both Jit and I were feeling unwell on the day of our boat tour. Naturally, we couldn't enjoy ourselves - while our boatmates were busy drinking and chatting away, the two of us sat in a corner, soaked to the skin and bundled up in towels. Nevertheless, we held on tight and tried to take part in all the activities with fervent vigour (or at least what seemed like it).
One of the best things about Koh Rong is the abundance of eateries right outside your doorstep. Many cafes serve an extensive breakfast menu ranging from yogurt and muesli to sandwiches, from traditional English breakfast to local Khmer food. We never say no to Italian food, not especially when cooked by an Italian chef himself. And that's why we found ourselves on the first night at Di Matti's. With fresh pasta and a seat right at the pier, it's an experience that's hard to forget. Coco's is another restaurant we had dinner at that is rather popular with the tourists. Its coupling of fresh seafood and charcoal grill was divine, to say the least. On the day we fell ill, Jit and I sought refuge in a local eatery. We devoured our noodle soup - which reminded us just a little bit of home.
The coast has always been a place where I felt right at home. Maybe it's got to do with being born and raised in a tropical island - although more often than not we're surrounded by skyscrapers rather than seawater. 2016 has seen me log many trips to the Sentosa, which in turn left me yearning to visit beaches all over the globe. Therefore, travelling to Koh Rong was the perfect coastal getaway to end the year on a high.
Mustard orange bikini - H&M
One piece swimsuit - Carousell
Black bikini - Ohana Swim
NOTES ON LIFE BY THE SEA
Stuff to bring: beach towel, a big water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, a book, spare change, slippers, a music speaker
Grab a fruit smoothie or two before heading down to the beach
Savoury snacks and fruits are always a good idea
Take off your jewellery before going into the water!
Beach playlist //
Thotful by Cody Simpson
Take It Or Leave It by Sublime With Rome
Rhythm of Love by Plain White T's
One Love by Bob Marley
Firestone by Kygo
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