Sihanoukville, Cambodia
We took a bus from Bangkok to Trat, and then a van to the Thailand-Cambodia boarder. We arrived at the boarder around 6 AM, and literally stood around until Immigration opened at 7. We got our passports stamped, as were greeted by far too many men willing to give us a ride to the boat we planned to take to Sihanoukville. As we left Immigration, boarder control realized that Jeff was missing a stamp in his passport so we had to go back. By the time everything was taken care of, our driver suggested that we take a bus, not the boat, since we were cutting it close and it was less expensive anyway. We agreed, which may have been the biggest mistake we made the whole trip.The 'bus' that we were going to take for a four and a half hour ride turned out to be a 12 person van. The streets of Cambodia turned out to be dirt roads,
through construction that suggests a road may be built, eventually. That is, of course, if the process continues with breaking through mountains of rock and levels any bit of the land. The four and a half hour ride turned out to be more like six. And four times we had to"take a ferry" across a body of water because there are no bridges.Honestly, think Oregon Trail and fording the river. If we had oxen, we would be lucky if they didn't drown. Rachel and I shared the very backseat that was fit for one larger person, but really not two. Good thing we love each other. 
The one good thing about the ride was that we were able to see so much of Cambodia. The country is very underdeveloped, and the images I will always recall of Cambodia are dusty and tan. While everyone we encountered along the way was extremely friendly, I cannot help but wonder what so many people do day in and day out. At every ferry stop there were food stalls,but what happens when bridges are actually built. These people spend their life selling Sprites to tourists passing through, for maybe a dollar a person. I just have a hard time understanding.
When we finally arrived at the 'bus station' (actually just an open lot where the bus stopped and let us out) many hours later, we were swamped by drivers offering us rides on their motos. As we told them where we had reservations, they nodded eagerly and shooed us towards their bikes. As I noted earlier, I must look silly with my big backpack, since one driver moved my bag from my shoulders to his moto in a swift motion. "Too big for you" he reminded me.
We arrived at our accommodations a few minutes later, and were thrilled to find two adorable rooms that were right next door to each other. Michele and I shared a bed and our room with Rachel, and enjoyed a private bath, AND toilet paper. That first night we walked down to the beach and had dinner at one of the restaurants. We played cards
outside our rooms for a while before passing out from exhaustion.
outside our rooms for a while before passing out from exhaustion.On Tuesday we slept in before meeting some friends Sascha had made and following them to a secluded beach. The sand was cleaner 
and the water a BEAUTIFUL blue-green. We actually met a man who was about 40, retired, and a Cornell alum. It is a SMALL world. After a lot of swimming and tanning, we returned to the hotel and went to a different restaurant on the beach. While sitting and waiting for our food, we were swarmed by children selling bracelets. While the constant rush of people
trying to sell things for "only 1 dolla" was often frustrating, the children were pretty cute and really bright. They told us about how they went to school and a bit about their families.
and the water a BEAUTIFUL blue-green. We actually met a man who was about 40, retired, and a Cornell alum. It is a SMALL world. After a lot of swimming and tanning, we returned to the hotel and went to a different restaurant on the beach. While sitting and waiting for our food, we were swarmed by children selling bracelets. While the constant rush of people
trying to sell things for "only 1 dolla" was often frustrating, the children were pretty cute and really bright. They told us about how they went to school and a bit about their families. 
On Wednesday we repeated our routine of sleeping in and hitting the beach. We also tried to find a market, but it wasn't really touristy and so there was not much to see. One of the best parts about eating out in different places was the option to get western food. Bread with breakfast and burgers and sandwiches for lunch and dinner. 
On Thursday we woke up early to hit the beach before heading to Phnom Penh. Our bus left at 
12:30 and the capital city was only 2 hours away. Or, so we were told. This was our third bus/van experience, and we were a little concerned because of the roads we took to arrive in Sihanoukville. Still, we were hopeful that since there was pavement once we arrived here, the same would stand for the capital.
12:30 and the capital city was only 2 hours away. Or, so we were told. This was our third bus/van experience, and we were a little concerned because of the roads we took to arrive in Sihanoukville. Still, we were hopeful that since there was pavement once we arrived here, the same would stand for the capital.
posted by Bride-to-Be @ 11:13 PM
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