I don’t generally like crowds. I understand that some things – like the Pyramids of Giza, Ankor Wat, the Taj Mahal, etc. – are always going to be packed because those are amazing sights. But outside of that, I don’t usually enjoy places that are crammed with hoardes of people.

Apparently everyone in Cambodia had the same brilliant idea as me to head to the beach for Chinese New Year. When I arrived in Sihanoukville, on the southern coast of Cambodia, I was not prepared for the sheer amount of people that I would find there. I stood on the beach, shocked, with my jaw gaping. It was crazy. I don’t recall ever being on a beach that was that busy. Here’s what I saw:

Not quite the quiet beach time I was craving. I couldn’t even hear the sounds of the waves over the screaming of the children. *shudder*

Luckily, there were options. About 4km south of the main beach, there’s another beach called Otres Beach. It’s just far enough away that the locals can’t be bothered to go. So everyday, I would get on my bicycle and take a ride out to find my own slice of paradise. I just had to work a little harder for it.

Sunset from my beach chair.