We left the "wharf" in Siem Reap 45 minutes late which really isn't a surprise. To start with there was lots to look at as we cruised through the floating village, then there was just water water water. Once we had got to the other side of the water water water (lake) we made a few stops at floating villages to collect and drop off the locals. It seemed to be those getting on the boat were brought to us by a small rowing boat, and jumped on, while those getting off were taken to a house.
We have a 20 minute stop after 4 hours and are told we have 3-4 hours to go - wholly mooley!
8 hours 40 minutes after leaving the "wharf" in Siem Reap we arrive in Battambang - talk about a looonnnngggg journey. Now to find a hotel then a cool beer.
We hadn't booked accommodation so the looking at the touts begins! After deciding on one and looking at the rooms we are set - my room has a/c, window and hot water all for the big price of USD 14 a night. Thank goodness my budget extends to this :)
After dropping our bags we head out for a local dinner and beer, which are well deserved.
Sunday we have a chilled morning, I managed to sleep in to 6.30am - pathetic!!!! I went for breakfast with Amanda outside of the hotel and had the best bread I've had since being in South East Asia.
Mid-morning we took a tuk tuk to the bamboo train. The Bamboo train is a 3 metre long wood frame, covered with slats that rests on two barbell-like bogies. Not for the faint hearted, it cruises along with misaligned, warped lines around 10-15 km per hour.
The four of us get on one train together and shortly after head off - I loved the journey although at times did wonder if we would be tipping over. As we were the last train we had to stop a couple of times to assist other trains going in the opposite direction. We had a stop half-way at a small “village” where young children tried to get us to buy a variety of things. Our “train” needed to be turned around for the return journey.
Back to the hotel and I started the search for what next as well as flights home for Han's wedding.....need to actually book it like yesterday.
Amanda headed off after lunch and I had a couple of hours chilling out (more searching) before Laurelle and I walked around the market. No purchases today as they were basically shutting down for the night.
Tony joined us for drinks and dinner then I set too and booked a flight from Thailand back to HK.
Monday morning I'm up early, we had arranged with a guy we met on the boat (DJ) to share a taxi with him to the border with Thailand and were departing at 6.30am.
The journey was a hair-raising two hours and I was pleased I wasn't on my own - some of the passing’s were too close for my liking.
We had no problems departing Cambodia, had a short walk across to the Thai border crossing and after waiting around 20 minutes were through. Both crossings much easier than I'd expected.
It's hard to believe my time in Cambodia is up - two weeks have flown by. I do hope one day to return.
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