We get a couple of miles under our belt as we approach Cambodia, sailing into Sihanoukville around 08:00. We observe that the baggo target has been repaired – not that we use it but we know people who will. Also in dock today is Norwegian Sprit. No idea what these fabulous looking dockside devices are – giant batteries perhaps?
Sihanoukville was a small port town until 2017 with 90% of the population involved in the fishing industry, until in 2018 the Chinese arrived en masse. Within a year they had changed the area beyond recognition, and started building 80 casinos, countless hotels and resorts and bought all the available land. Covid intervened and many of these buildings are now left as empty shells.
It’s a theme we see repeated several times during our day, even in the National Park, one wonders if some poor decisions were made on high for rapid gain?
Back to our tour, our guide Mong, a young English and PE teacher talks us through the China Effect, cautiously of course! We move onto other statistics like the education system and even the US influence, right up to date with the current Thailand conflict. We spot lions in the city centre!
We stop briefly on a roundabout to talk about arranged marriage, quite commonplace even now, and the statue which depicts a Royal Couple who refused to do as they were told!
Next we drive into the Ream National Park, firstly to see a very tall tree, over 50m and possibly 2000 years old. From here we drive in to the mangrove forest, and watch a few monkeys who the rangers have just prepared sugar beet for.
A short walk along a boardwalk and we’re at the jetty to board an EV boat, which takes us around the mangroves before dumping us on the outskirts of a very deserted hotel, with glamping pods as well as traditional accommodation. There is a lovely garden we get to walk around whilst we await the arrival of our party coach.
Next we go to a different hotel for lunch. It had to be said this is not a resounding success, as you know we dislike buffets anyway and this one doesn’t break our opinion. Only being first in line makes it tolerable.
The rest of this two hour stop is dedicated to the beach. We didn’t bring swimwear so we walk it’s length in both directions and really enjoy the solitude once we’re away from the main section.
After this we visit a Buddhist Temple and finally return to the ship, although too late for swimming or jacuzzi.
The evening begins with the ships’s company’s show entitled Timeless which Mark really enjoys but I find a bit frustrating, although we agree that one of the singers’s performance of O mio Babbino Caro is just sublime.
As ever we head to Pinnacle Grill for dinner and tonight’s shining glory is Pecan Pie in recognition of thanksgiving in the US.
