Koh Trong

Directly opposite Kratie in the middle of the Mekong River, is quaint little Koh Trong Island. A permanent 5km long island, and in the dry season when the water level is lower, this extends with vast stretches of sand around the island. A splendid place to relax and have a dip in the Mekong. The island has a wonderfully relaxed back-in-time feel to it. Everything moves at a steady pace, there are no cars, just bicycles and cow-drawn wooden carts. There is a path running round the outside of island past lovely simple wooden houses, and local people working on farming activities like they have done for generations. To get here just go to the boat dock in the centre of Kratie where a local boat picks up passengers, it's 1000 Reil each-way and you pay on-board. The boat runs frequently throughout the day until 5:30pm. It's great to hire a bicycle and take a leisurely ride around the island. People will undoubtedly offer to rent you a bike in Kratie for $2. A better idea is to hire one on the island, as it's a pain getting it on and off the boat with a bicycle, and your money goes to the people on the island. Either way, the bikes are not in the best condition, but they don't need to be when you're just coasting. When picking your bike, just check the tyres aren't flat and give it a quick test ride. There's a pretty yellow and pink building at the south end of the island, along with a tiny Vietnamese floating village. There's a homestay on the northeast side of the island along with the splendid Rajabori Villas. The villas are around $65 a night so on the pricey side, but a great place to quench your thirst next to the pool on your way around the island.