Poi Pet

For our trip to Poi Pet (the border crossing to Cambodia) we were told a good option was to rent a van. Trying to find one (or rather hire one) was another story. Lots of vans around, now the obstacle was the language. Eventually, thanks to David, we headed down the right alley and were able to get a ticket for a van to Cambodia. Not the private van we had hoped for but a public van for 12 people and no room for luggage, so it cost us two more tickets to get our luggage aboard. LOL

Yesterday was the designated travel day as we made our way from Bangkok to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Three and a half hours to the border driving on the wrong side of the road, weaving in and out of traffic, often hitting 120 km/hr. Exciting!
On arrival there was a lot of traffic congestion. As we got out of the van and strapped on our backpacks we were approached by a lot of locals very eager to direct us to the border, even walking with us to show the way. What nice people. Of course, as illustrated in the travel books, they were trying to direct us to the private Visa outlets where on would soon depart with 1100 TBH. We did not stop there but continued on to the passport control and made our way through to the legitimate Visa office, paid our visa fee and continued on to the Cambodia side for entry. Another lineup this time to present our visa stamped passports and be electronically fingerprinted. We hired a private car for the 2hr drive to Siem Reap. This is the flattest countryside I have ever seen! A straight highway with very few cars but lots of motor bikes, tractors and carts. Rice paddies along both sides all the way, and surprisingly a lot of locals working in the fields. Bone rack cows, fat water buffaloes and scruffy ducks in the murky muddy waters of the ditches and fields.