Dinner in the Garden at White Mansion

On February 12, we decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day in advance to avoid the crowds by relishing the moment with a romantic escape under the hues of lights at White Mansion’s garden. We thought that unwinding into the night with a fantastic garden dining menu crafted by an excellent chef would impress, inspire, and create long-lasting memories for my family and me.

There was not much to see in the garden but a lovely greenery, fanciful lighting and chic cocktails and mocktails. The tranquil garden was shimmered with a candle set in the middle of the table and strings of lights hung from the trees. And tender petals of red roses and white frangipani flowers were gorgeously scattered on the table. The quiet ambiance left us more awestruck by our love for each other and for our family.

We started with a glass of nice cocktail and mocktail upon arrival, followed by a luscious and leisurely dinner and wine. Afterwards, we splurge and sweeten up the night with a delectable desert, because Valentine’s Day is not complete without sweets.

We had a great time eating delicious food while enjoying the pleasant smell of the garden and soaking up a little peace and tranquility as we had the entire place to ourselves. Our dinner conversation ran from Pete’s nomination for the Student Council’s President to movies and music to bugs…Hahaha.

It was a wonderful night – we’d got space, peace, good food, and love! If you are looking for a secret hideaway to share with your loved ones, then look no further – White Mansion is the place to be!

12 Things to do in Koh Rong Samloem

Cambodia has a number of remote and undeveloped tropical paradises that are just a short boat ride from the coastal city of Sihanoukville. One of these islands is Koh Rong Samloem, which is both beautiful and authentic. Most of the visitors come to Saracen Bay to relax and take in the astonishing views. Despite its small size, you will be surprised by what it has to offer. Here are a few things my family and I would recommend doing and seeing.

Go Kayaking

Kayaking is an excellent way to explore the coastline of Koh Rong Samloem. Saracen Bay is ideal for kayak adventures because the water is shallow and normally very calm. Some resorts on Saracen Bay, such as The One Resort (where we stayed), offer free kayaks. However, if you don’t have access to a free kayak, you can rent one for around $7 for a half day or $12 for a full day. It’s a delightful way to spend your day.

Jungle Trekking

Koh Rong Samloem Island has some amazing jungle trails which are perfect for exploring the area on your own, ditch the crowds, and discover the secret of the islands, including one that leads to the old lighthouse, Lazy Beach, and Sunset Beach. The trails get trickier and hillier and more challenging, and the boulders get bigger as you emerge deeper into the jungle. On your way, you may expect to see snakes, rare lizards, monkeys, and other jungle creatures. If you wish to trek through the jungle, wear hiking boots and trousers to protect yourself from the massive mosquitoes, wear a headlamp or bring a flashlight, and put mosquito repellent or carry a bug spray.

One of our best memories on the island was hiking from Saracen Bay to Sunset Beach. We began our trek through the jungle at 4 pm and continued until dusk. We had to hold on to the rope or else we would have fallen. We didn’t see any wild creatures, but we heard a very loud cacophony of insects. The trails to Sunset Beach were more difficult than the ones we had when we went to Lazy Beach. It was adventurous, a little scary, and fun all at the same time.

Laze at the beachfront

Lazying is indeed a lost art. The beach is an excellent place to unplug from technology, read a book, and clear your mind. The soothing sights, smells, and sounds of nature can help you unwind because it’s easier to let go of whatever is on your mind. It is also a great place to catch up, tell stories, and have a great laugh with family and friends while appreciating the beauty of doing nothing.

Beach Hopping

There are several beaches on Koh Rong Island such as Saracen Bay, Lazy Beach, Sunset Beach, Clearwater Bay, Sandy Beach, Military Beach, and M’Pay Bay.  Our most favorite were The One Resort Beach (on Saracen Bay) and the Sunset Beach.

Sunset Beach is a perfect place to watch breathtaking sunsets. It is located on the island’s western side and is very popular among French visitors to Cambodia. This self-contained mini-paradise can be found at the end of an increasingly challenging trail. It is almost empty of people, so you can enjoy the gorgeous pink and purple sunsets going down into the water, yellow sand beach, and the tranquil and breathtaking atmosphere all to yourself. You will also enjoy the Sunset Beach’s vibe – easy-going with a secluded feel.

Lazy Beach is a secluded private beach on the west side of the island that stretches more than 700 meters and is surrounded by tropical pine trees. It is clean and, despite being privately owned, it is freely open to the public. It has a very relaxing, castaway beach vibe. There are beachfront bungalows as well as a nice on-site restaurant. It is an ideal quiet getaway for families, friends, or couples looking for a true taste of island life and a sense of isolation. You will enjoy walking over on the white sand here for the day, lazing around in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by mountains, swimming in the green, crystal clear water, playing with the big waves, then having lunch or drinks in the restaurant.

Beach walking

Nothing beats a stroll on the beach, from the cool surf to warm sand to people-watching to awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets. The beach is always charming, full of both adventure and romance. Walking on the beach is also a great way to clear your mind and exercise your body. In Koh Rong Samloem, it is safe to walk on the beach along Saracen Bay, Lazy Beach, and Sunset Beach because we did not see any shards of sharp objects or glass the last time we went there. While there, we walked at sunrise, in the afternoon, and even at night. 

Dinner on the Beach under the Full Moonlight

Every night, the beaches there offer BBQs on the beach. One of our favorites on the island was dinner on the beach (every night throughout our stay) under the full moonlight at The One Resort. Truly, the beach is simply a paradise with all the elements of romance and the chance to see something unique with the one you love. 

Hunt for a Waterfall

If you are bored of beach bummin’, hunting for a waterfall is an option, especially for those who are adventurous. This waterfall will not take your breath away, but it will provide you with a nice beach break and allow you to explore the jungle. The best time to go there is during the rainy season.

Discover your most favorite sunset

Sunsets at Saracen Bay, Sunset Beach, Lazy Beach and M’Pay Bay are all spectacular. Your goal is to find your absolute favorite!

Visit the Old Lighthouse

The lighthouse at Koh Rong Samloem is about a 90-minute hike from the south end of Saracen Beach. The paths leading to the lighthouse are hilly and stoney. The entrance fee to climb to the top and enjoy a magnificent view of the island is $1.

Go on a Boat Trip

From budget travelers to adventure seekers, Koh Rong Samloem offers a variety of boat trip options that include activities such as exploring remote beaches, visiting local villages and nearby islands, snorkeling over coral reefs, fishing with the locals, swimming with glowing planktons, watching sunset, BBQ, and so on.

Snorkel and Scuba dive

There are many operators on the island offering snorkeling and scuba diving trips that will take you to snorkel or scuba diving points and to some great places on Koh Rong Island where you can see some cool unique fish.

Watch the glowing plankton

Bioluminescent plankton on Koh Rong Island is a beautiful natural phenomenon to see at night as it looks like a shimmering starry sky all around you. Despite the fact that this is abundant on the island, these gleaming planktons can only be seen in areas with very little light.