It has been almost a year since we made our home in Tulum. Where is time gone?
In the last few days i have being reflecting on the last year… It seems to have passed by in the blink of an eye.
Thanks to Facebook reminding me every other day of my past memories, I find myself exclaiming: “Oh mine!!! Was that a year ago??!!?” (or even two or three!).
Damn Madonna that used to sing “…Time goes by so slowly…”.
I am sorry Madonna, you used to be my idol when I was a teenager, but in that particular song you were wrong!
A Home in Tulum
Last year in May we made the decision to come back to Mexico and to make our home in Tulum for a while. I cannot honestly believe we have been here 9 months! It seems like yesterday we landed in Mexico.
We came to Tulum at the beginning of June 2015 and started to set everything up for our new Mexican adventure. We started work and found an apartment within few days of being here. And then…time started to fly by.
It is said that when you do something you enjoy time goes faster. It has been an interesting challenging year. I am still working my usual scuba diving instructor job, but I have also taken up the role of hotel manager at the beautiful Mango Tulum Hotel.
My job at the moment involves more the daily looking after of the hotel rather than scuba diving. Dom is taking care of the diving as we are getting a larger number of certified divers wanting to dive the Cenotes rather than beginner divers wanting to learn. When we do get courses, I take care of them. I do enjoy teaching!
Tulum is a lovely little town. It took sometime before I really started to appreciate it. Once I got to know it, I started to discover my favourite places (most of them are restaurants since I LOVE food). Tulum comes across like a sleepy town, but even here there are places where it is possible to have a great night out.
The nightlife in Tulum starts late. It is mainly locals that go out and party, so the party bars get busy late at night after every one comes out of work and heads to the local dance floors. Very cool vibes around.
One of the most famous attractions in Tulum is the beach. White sandy beaches and coconut trees all along are in perfect contrast and harmony with the turquoise waters of the Caribbean sea.
Who knows what will happen in the next months. For now I am enjoying my present home.
These are probably the most delicious fish tacos in Tulum and they come with a complementary salad buffet.
My favourites are the octopus tacos as featured in the picture.
This delicious fish taco little restaurant is right behind the hotel Mango Tulum where I am currently working as manager and diving instructor. They sell tacos from as little as 1 and a half dollar each. Worth a try if you are around.
This is one of my favourite quotes because it is so true!
As a person that has travelled and lived in different places a lot, you might agree with me.
It is something that is hard to explain because it is a strong feeling inside. It is difficult to put into words.
It is always you, but each place you are it is kind of a different you. Even though it is the same you.
I find myself at times to be suddenly thrown back to a certain place where I have been and for a fraction of a second I find myself back there and I feel like I did when I was there.
I can even smell the same air and I get goosebumps and a sense of free-falling in my stomach. Only for a fraction of a second but it is an amazing feeling. A mixed feeling of happiness and strong nostalgia, for those beautiful moments that I will cherish forever. Nostalgia for that piece of myself I left behind and I will never get back.
Kuala Lumpur, or simply KL, is one of the most vibrant cities in South East Asia. I have been several times during my extended stays in Asia and every time I go, I enjoy a bit of city break in this hectic modern city.
Here are 6 reasons to visit Kuala Lumpur.
1. Experience Cosmopolitan South East Asia
In KL there is a great mix of people and cultures. The main ones are Malaysian (of course, we are in Malaysia!), Chinese and Indian. You can find yourself in three different countries by just being in one city.
2. Amazing Food
This is one of the main reasons why I would suggest to visit Kuala Lumpur. Because of the different cultural influences, you can find some really delicious options for eating. Eating in KL is a pleasure, you can find the best Indian, Malay and Chinese food at extremely cheap prices. As a result, the food never gets boring. This is one of the best things I look forward to when I go to KL.
3. Shopping!!
This does not need much of an explanation. KL is home to the most amazing shopping malls in South East Asia. Shop till you drop, you can spend the whole day in just one mall and get lost into shopping or just wander around. Berjaya Times Square is the only mall in the world with an indoor theme park!!
4. Electronics Shopping!
This could fit in the category above, but it deserves a category of itself. In KL you can buy just about everything and anything related to electronics. At very bargain prices. KL is home to Low Yat Plaza, the largest lifestyle electronic mall in Malaysia. It is actually kind of overwhelming, especially if you decide to visit on a weekend when the whole of Malaysia seems to head to this mall (and every other mall as a matter of fact!)
5. Visa Run
This is one of the practical reasons to visit Kuala Lumpur. If you are travelling around South East Asia and need to get a visa for any other neighbouring country, KL is the place to go. Embassies and consulates seem to be very efficient.
6. Grand Architecture
It is amazing how different styles of architecture cohabit in harmony. Modern meets ancient, east meets west, Colonial and Victorian buildings alike. It is a mix and match made in heaven.
These are my 6 reasons, but there are many more. What are your reasons to visit Kuala Lumpur?
What to see? Where to go?
Central Market
Jalan Petaling (Chinatown)
Masjid Jamek (Oldest Mosque in KL)
Sultan Abdul Samad Building
The National Mosque
KL Railway Station
KL Tower
KLCC (Petronas Twin Towers)
Bukit Bintang
When to Go?
Anytime
Where to Stay?
Oscar Guest House: new, clean and cosy budget accommodation right in the heart of Bukit Bintang. Perfect base to explore the City. Close enough to everything including the bar district (but far enough from it to enjoy a quiet night sleep)
I definitely recommend this place however, KL has a huge variety of accommodation choice for any taste and pockets.
Only approximately 20 Km. from the coast of Sihanoukville town, there are few islands still reasonably “hidden away” and quiet…but not for long.
Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are still considered little paradises for backpackers looking for the ultimate island experience. However even these islands have now been reached by powerful foreign investors that have already bought their stake of land and started to build huge development projects.
It is happening mainly on Koh Rong, the largest of the two islands. The main village built on the beach is already crowded with backpackers’ lodges, bars and restaurants. Unfortunately there isn’t a good sewage system so everything flows right on the beach and into the sea, accompanied by a very unpleasant smell.
New lodges and hotels are being built up the mountains right behind the beach. The whole place looks like a building site, but young backpackers are not put off by this. They find their little heaven here where they can get a little helping job in a restaurant, bar or guesthouse in exchange of a bed, a bit of food and lots of alcohol.
We visited Long Beach, one of the beaches along the island. It is a very long white sand beach. Beautiful even though it is overcrowded with mean sand flies. However, there were already bulldozers on the spot, cutting trees and preparing the land for building works.
A friend of us went there few weeks later and told us a massive pier had already been built. I was so glad to have seen that place before it was spoiled.
I was told that most of the land on the island has already been bought by Russian and Chinese investors with projects for big expensive resorts. There is also already planning permission to build an airport. There will be direct flights from Phnom Phen and possibly international flights as well. It will be like Phuket but in Cambodia.
Koh Rong Samloem is a little bit different. The island is much smaller an there is still very very little on it. Few lodges and restaurants are situated on the main beach at Saracen Bay. I have not stayed on this beach.
I spent few days on Sunset Beach while I was working with The Dive Shop. They have their dive center here. This beach is very small and still almost untouched. Besides The Dive Shop, there are three more small resorts with their own restaurant and bar. Very uncrowded beach, it is perfect to get away from it all for few days. No electricity (the places run on their own generators), no phone, no internet, and very limited fresh water. Oh! Perfect place to enjoy beautiful sunsets.
There is a lot to see around Sihanoukville. Ancient ruins, lush jungle, white beaches. Welcome to Cambodia, Kingdom of Wonders!
Tourism in Cambodia is picking up at a very fast pace. More and more tourists come every year to discover the beauties of a relatively unexplored and less developed Country.
Infrastructures are still quite basic compared to its neighbouring countries Thailand, Laos and Vietnam but they are evolving fast.
Coastal Cambodia is probably the most developed area in terms of tourism after Siem Reap.
Sihanoukville is the main beach town, a favourite for local tourists and foreigners. It offers several different sandy beaches and it is also the gateway to the Islands and other less populated tourist towns such as Kampot and Kep.
Tourists of any age come to Sihanoukville, however, this upcoming place is a favourite among younger travellers looking for a good time and endless parties. The town offers, in fact, many venues open till early hours in the morning and they all offer a very wide selection of cheap beer and cocktails.
It seems like the favourite activity of the younger crowds is drinking and partying. Who blames them though, Cambodia probably offers the cheapest prices for alcohol in South East Asia. Particularly in Sihanoukville, the price of beer ranges between $0.25-$1 for a drought of tasty locally brew Angkor or Cambodia. I have happily enjoyed a few myself. They are the perfect thirst quenching on a hot day! Sometimes it feels like water just doesn’t do it!
Personally, Sihanoukville is not one of my favourite places. The town seems to be packed with rubbish left at any corner and a strong smell of sewage constantly fills the air. Where is the sweet smell of Frangipani and Jasmine flowers??!!
Having said that, the many different areas around town offer something interesting and sometimes charming.
The main point of reference in town is the Golden Lion traffic circle with six roads leading to the different areas of town.
A great way to get around Sihanoukville is by scooter.
Scooter Around Sihanoukville
OCHHEUTEAL & SERENDIPITY BEACHES
These are the two busiest beaches in town. Ochheuteal is a very long and narrow beach and Serendipity is at the arching northern end of the beach. Most of the hotels/hostels, restaurants and bars are located around these areas especially on the road leading to Serendipity beach (Serendipity Road). Most parties and late-night bars are around these areas.
INDEPENDENCE BEACH
It is over a kilometre long of white sands but most of it is closed for a development project. A small part of it is accessible to the public and offers a few beach BBQ huts.
VICTORY BEACH & VICTORY HILL
Victory Beach sits at the base of Victory Hill. The Beach is partially closed but still accessible in some points. It offers beautiful sunset views. Victory Hill area is popular with hotels, guest houses and a late night scene (including entertainment for naughty people :)).
DOWNTOWN
This area is approximately 5 minutes by tuk tuk from the beaches. There are several hotels, guests houses, bars and restaurants. Here is where you can find the main shopping area with also banks and few larger supermarkets selling Western treats.
OTRES BEACH & OTRES VILLAGE
This is by far the best area around Sihanoukville (at least in my opinion). It is located few kilometres from the main town area. It is approximately 15-20 minutes by tuk tuk from Serendipity area. The beach is very long and wide with fine white sand. It is the less touristed area of town but it is growing fast.
The beach is divided into Otres 1 (the north part) and Otres 2 (the south part). Otres 1 offers more choice of accommodation, beach bars and restaurants. Otres 2 has fewer facilities and it is quieter. There’s an empty area between the two, offering only sand and trees to stay in perfect harmony with nature.
Otres Village is up and coming. Few hostels and guests houses are located along the river and many new ones are under construction. Tourists in this area are generally the hippie types. During high season the popular Saturday Otres Market is worth a visit. It is a western hippie market featuring clothes, jewellery and food stalls, live bands and DJs going on till the early hours.
Sihanoukville is growing at a very fast rate. Constructions are taking place just about everywhere in town. Foreign investors, especially Chinese and Russians are putting lots of money down for large tourist developments. At the moment there is still so much empty land around but within the next few years, it will all be built on.
It is sad in a way, especially when many of these tourist facilities employ foreigners in exchange for food and accommodation instead of giving work to the locals.
On the other end, hopefully, this growing tourist business will bring more money and wellness to this country where a huge number of people still live in striking poverty.
WHERE TO STAY AROUND SIHANOUKVILLE
In Otres Village: Wildside Villas, tree house style small resort with a swimming pool. 4 private bungalows and 2 budget rooms surrounded by a beautiful tropical fruit & veg garden. Perfect place to chill. There are an in-house bar and restaurant. Accommodation price between $15-$40.
Serendipity area: there is a huge choice of accommodation from dorms to private rooms. The Tired Gecko on Serendipity Road offers new double private rooms with A/C, hot water and TV for as little as $15. Have seen a few accommodation here around the same price but this one offered the best quality/price.
WHERE TO EAT
Lots of choices even if for my personal taste the quality of food here is not as good as in other places I have visited, for example, like in Siem Reap.
However, in Otres 1 Papa Pippo makes one of the best pizzas I have tasted abroad! Definitely worth a visit. It is also a resort, you can book a room by clicking here.
The local food market in Market Street (Makara Street) just off the Golden Lion traffic circle, is almost dormant during the hot daytime hours and it becomes alive from sunset till late at night. Here you can find reasonably priced local food such as fried noodles and rice, rice and noodle soup, and all sorts of unusual Cambodian delicacies such as fried frogs and bugs! It is definitely worth trying. It is always busy with locals but also few foreigners can be spotted.
ACTIVITIES
Best way to explore around Sihanoukville is to rent a motorbike and drive around. Make sure to wear a crash helmet and beware of the bribing police. Don’t let them get money from you! Just have few bucks in your wallet, anyway if you wear a helmet and don’t speed they should have no reason to stop you.
Another favourite activity here is scuba diving or snorkelling. This is not one of the best places where I scuba dived but a visit to the local underwater world is definitely a must. A day out on the boat will keep you cool from the scorching heat of mainland.
The reefs of Cambodia are a little underestimated, you can find pretty cool fish and huge barrel sponges. Lots of nudibranchs, puffer fish, scorpionfish, yellow tail barracudas and jacks, just to name a few. Visibility could be a little sketchy. It is a great place to learn to dive due to shallow depths and lack of currents.
Best dive operators: The Dive Shop and Scuba Nation, they both offer PADI courses and daily fun dives.
Sihanoukville is definitely worth visiting. Don’t miss it!
