From Siem Reap to Poipet...

Traveling by bus from Siem Reap to Poipet on the Cambodian side of the Thai border can be exhausting. Our journey certainly was. Had mainly to do with 3 things, the poor condition of the bus (in Daans' words, refering to our trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong, Hell Bus II), the type of transport (a short distance bus with no luggage compartment so everything was piled up to the ceiling in the aisle) and the road!

The road from Siem Reap to Poipet shows you that there is still a long way to go for Cambodia. Ofcourse, I could complain about the dust, the filth, the heat, the holes and the lack of comfort during this journey, but I think these 5 hours to Poipet were in a way well spend. It learned me a lot about the Cambodian state of being. I hope that by visiting Cambodia I made a contribution to an increase of wellfare in this country.

In Poipet you cross the border by foot. When I ask our busdriver about what's next, he points in the direction of Thailand, mumbles something about 'another bus' and walks away. Some fellow travelers seem to have easy tickets. At least, they are asked by an official looking guy with a suit and a briefcase to follow him. When I show him my tickets he also points in the direction of Thailand. Ah well, let's first cross the border, then we'll see further....