Otres Beach #2, Sihanoukville, Cambodia_March 6-13,2013 Footprints Guesthouse on Otres 2 is such a good place that I stayed for a full week: amazing food, amazing atmosphere, amazing people, cheap beer, and a great beach with cheap fruit vendors and masseuses offering their services with a smile. It also has the right mix of seclusion and things to do that is impossible to find at the over-touristy South East Asia beach destinations. There's also a growing number of Westerners living and working here and a weekly night market they started to sell crafts, food and drinks. The market also hosts an open mic night (see photo). In a way it reminds me of Pai (but waaaaaaaay smaller) where a mix of travelers, locals, location and atmosphere has created a hybrid blend of cultures that works even if it isn't 'authentic'. I hung with some great people: My German friends Barbra and Urs, who I had now been with in multiple cities thought the country, and my new French friend Julie, who almost convinced me to stay longer to explore the islands (sorry!). And there was always the crew of local kids wanting to play on Uls' slackline or cut us up a $1 pineapple. I will go back to Otres 2 someday but I fear that once discovered by the backpacking hoards, it won't last long in it's current state.
