Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

We found ourselves drawn to Siem Reap; the history, the restaurants, the chilled out bars and the most welcoming people since Texas. 'Just one more night' we would say when we returned to our hotel. But eventually the time had come to move on. We booked our seats on the morning bus to Phnom Penh through our hotel (which of course was also a travel agents!) and were told a mini van would come to pick us up at 7:30 am to transfer us to the bus station. 

At 7:30 on the dot the hotel staff called us and helped us load our luggage into the already rather full mini van, as Matt and I clambered into the back seats. The driver starts the engine and performs an impressive 3-point turn and pulls up on the opposite side of the road for his next pick up. 3 girls helped by the driver manage to just about cram their luggage into the back and climb in, by now we are very cosy (9 people in a 7 seater + luggage!). The driver jumps in, and we’re off, well 40 meters up the road, and he pulls over. Everyone on the bus looks at each other thinking the same thing, where on earth is he going to put anyone else? The driver jumps out and pulls open the door ‘Ok, were here!’ he shouts to which every person in the van bursts out laughing. As he struggles to unload the backpacks I can actually see the staff at our hotel still waving us off. At times like this you realise, you have to love Asia.

Next we had a transfer to the real bus station (or big bus station, as they are often called) a nice coach before joining the bus that would take us to PP. After a rather long (7 hours) bumpy journey, which saw us driving past flooded fields, rice paddies and vast country side on mostly dirt tracks, but also one rather new and impressive bridge we arrived in Phnom Penh. As soon as we were off the bus we were swamped with Tuk-Tuk drivers wanting to be our driver. Here we met TK, we liked TK for two reasons 1. He didn’t try to rip us off 2. He has the same name as Matt’s beloved VW Golf! TK is a great driver, which was reassuring on the chaotic roads of PP. The traffic here makes Bangkok traffic look organised, there is not really a right way to drive, I would say the majority drive on the left, but there is a significant minority that drive on the right as well! We were glad that all the bars and restaurants were within walking distance of the hotel. It was definitely time for a well-deserved drink!

Dusk mask definitely required!

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