Uncrowded: the Koh Rong Sanloem magic

"Tranquil, in complete harmony with nature:" artist-designer Sophoan Cao and her partner Pov Ka summarize in a few words the lasting impressions from their recent stay on Saracen Bay, Koh Rong Sanloem. Here, we share some of their photos capturing a rare, precious moment.

When you hear about protests againt overtourism in Europe, or, closer to Cambodia, of other islands threatened by tourism pressure on the demographics and environment, the idea of a beach where you can walk unencumbered, of local people still able to enjoy their surroundings, of forested hills you can stroll at your leisure, is certainly comforting.

There are shrines to local deities along the beach, pagodas hidden in the trees, a real waterfall which has not been turned into some sort of amusement park. Birds can be heard in the foliage, silver shoals of fish spotted in the clear water of the bay.

But the beauty of this Robinson's dream is that you don't need to rough it to experience it. "To me, Island Center Point is the ideal beach resort", noted Sophoan, "utterly comfortable without ostentation, pleasing to the eye, and with great food. Luxury lies in the details, and it has to be unassuming. It fits to the wondrous nature all around."