A traveller's reflection: Solo Cambodia Ride 2015: Day 03

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try..." - Gail Devers

(By the waterfront watching the sunset in Koh Kong, Cambodia)

Day 03: 8 February 2015

Route: Samut Songkhram – Koh Kong

Distance: 479 km

Hotel: Koh Kong City Hotel

(Feeling fresh, ready to ride to the border)

(A clean boutique hotel by the main road in Samut Songkhram)

(Unavoidable route, motorbikes are prohibited to enter)

(Stuck in a massive traffic jam in South Bangkok, CNY festivities in the air)

(A simple lunch of halal BBQ chicken and tuna pie at the Amazon Cafe)

(Passing through the town of Trat)

(Heading towards Hat Lek, Thailand/Cambodia border town)

(A must stop at the narrowest part of Thailand)

(Immigration and Custom formalities at the border)

Koh Kong has long had a reputation as a “Wild West” frontier town. Until recently, access to the town from Cambodia was mostly by sea or air due to the poor road conditions. However, with the building of the Thai-Cambodian bridge across the river and the upgrading of the road to the national highway, industry and investment has increased and the town is becoming a modest tourist destination.

Koh Kong town is accessible by road via Had Lek. In 2002, the Koh Kong bridge was completed linking the town of Koh Kong with the border crossing to Thailand. The bridge is 1.9 km long, making it the longest bridge in Cambodia. From the border it is 10 km to the town.

With the opening of the Thai-Cambodian bridge across the river and the building of several casinos near the border post, the town has become an increasingly popular tourist destination. Aside from the casinos, other attractions include boat tours to Koh Kong Island and trekking in the Cardamon Mountains.