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May - June 2003

Sihanoukville, Kampot, Bokor Hill, Battambang, Angkor, Mondulkiri, Phnom Penh

Brett Voegele
2005-11-18 18:30:01

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Sihanoukville

From Koh Samet it was a relatively easy share truck, ferry, share truck, bus, bus, mini van, and motorcycle ride across the border and into the town of Koh Kong in Cambodia, followed the next day by a boat trip to Sihanoukville.

Sihanoukville is an area of beaches, but since it was the beginning of the rainy season in the region I didn't get much beach time. Mostly I hung out in beach chairs under an umbrella talking to the various vendors, and rented a motorcycle one day for exploring the region and nearby fishing village, which was full of character. Getting off the bike and wandering the various piers and narrow walkways between buildings had me feeling like a superstar - a feeling I'd maintain throughout Cambodia, with all the kids continually yelling, "Hello" and waving, or wanting to touch me.

Sloooooow Train to Kampot

I chose to take the train between Sihanoukville and Kampot, and enjoyed every bit of the slow journey, which only covered about 70 miles but took 5 hours. It was great, and was certainly the adventure I'd hoped for when I opted for it over the more comfortable and quicker vehicle transport. The fun actually started the day before when I wandered into a desolate train station, the floor covered with mud and water from the latest downpour. I finally found somebody in a back office and inquired when the train would leave the following day..."Sometime between 7 and 10". Close enough. Was there early the following morning and told by other Westerners that it was due to leave at 9 - and it actually did. The train had about 8 cars, though only one was what would be considered a passenger car. Poking my head in another of the cars revealed it to be wood-sided with no end, no floor, and someone asleep in a hammock tied to the side. The passenger car also contained hammocks tied to the sides by locals who'd ...