Home » Cambodia » Cambodia

MURRAY'S DIARY for the complete story

Cambodia

Mar
2004-09-14 16:27:39

Displayed times (last time: )

red and dusty road we have warned Rene for. He brought a scarf as well and we continue with 15 km/h. There is some mountain bike technique necessary to maintain speed, and we reach Kralanh tired. The beer is kept cool especially for us.

In the morning it is hard to find anything for breakfast. I try the market that is said to be open at 5 AM, but no stalls that sell the delicious French baguettes. Last time we were luckier but this morning the first baguette appears in sight at 7:00 AM and so we start a little later than our average day. Our first legal stop will be after 25 kilometers, the second will be in Sisophon. From there it is only a short distance to cross the border into Thailand. Illegal stops are those for traffic lights (unlikely to appear on Cambodian roads), photo stops, halfway uphill, on top of hills etc. In Sisophon the owner of the Chinese restaurant recognizes us from our last visit. As usual during the delicious lunch and dinner we play roulette, we order three plates and eat a third of each, passing the plate on to the left for the next. This time its rice with chili and beef, fried vegetables and rice, and sweet and sour pork on rice. With a full stomach we cycle over a nicely tarred road to the border crossing.

The border crossing appears to be in the center of the village market. If you can’t see beyond the crowds you’ll never find it. Although, everyone seems to be moving to the same direction. On the Cambodian side we are trapped in a busload of tourist and so we must queue to get our exit stamp. After the Cambodian formalities we cycle in no-mans land where we must change from cycling on the right side to cycling on the left side, and where gambling is allowed. On either side of the one kilometer no-mans land there are enormous shiny gambling palaces. Towards the Thai side of the border we queue with the same amount of people but this time it takes four times longer before we get a stamp. Seven kilometers after the border we find a guesthouse in Aranya Prathet. From here on we will take the train to Bangkok, leaving tomorrow morning at 6:45.

Copyright Muriel and Raymond (Murray)

All rights reserved.

Please visit my website