Beach and boats, Koh Russei, Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Taken on: 18th January, 2011. Copyright: All Rights Reserved - See travelfishery's page of Flickr

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At Koh Russei, an island an hour away from Sihanoukville, there are only golden sands, fishermen's boats offshore, and a cluster of antique Russian guns strategically placed between the beaches. Once an island paradise, it's seen better days but is still worth a visit.

"Russei" means "Bamboo" in Khmer, and the island is often referred to as "Bamboo Island" by foreigners. A former navy base that opened to tourists, over the last year this island's once-serene character was destroyed along with the many bungalows that have been bulldozed. As of early 2011, the island iss almost entirely devoid of businesses and is again a relaxing place to chill out — while waiting to see when the developers who've bought the island from the Cambodian government will strike again.

Most travellers discover the place on one of the ubiquitous three-island boat tours which all go to the same islands (Koh Ta Kiev, Koh Charaluh ... Read our complete Koh Russei travel guide

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