Blogs from Battambang, North, Cambodia, Asia - page 21

It is now my last day in Cambodia and I'm actually at the half-way point of my trip. Already! It's gone way too fast.. I've had a fab time in Cambodia though. The people here are super-friendly and I'm gutted that I can't stay longer but at least it gives me an excuse to come back one day. We started in Phnom Penh, where we arrived exhausted after yet another nightmare bus journey - we were promised it would take '5 or 6 hours' but finally made it after more than 10 hours. Why do they always lie about these things?? It was a cool city though and I much preferred it to the cities in Vietnam, which were too noisy and hectic for me. Phnom Penh was still lively but much more chilled. Whilst there ... read more

Tuesday December, 4th 2007 I’m on the boat to Battambang. The scenery is completely different from the one in dry season, as the water is several meters higher. The boat is also taking a slightly different route. The plain is no longer flooded but the river is not limited by high banks. Well, just look at the pictures. ... read more

Today I decided to head off for Phnom Penh by boat, having organised my ticket the previous night at one of the many travel agants that are in Siem Reap. I was meant to be at the travel agents at 620am to catch my lift to the boat which left at 7am. I turned up and there was no transport, the driver had either already left, or didn't turn up, so i was forced to get a tuk-tuk the 12km or so to the boat. Thinking I was going to be late i encouraged the driver to go as fast as he could, so the wet muddy conditions and the handling capabilty of the tuk-tuk never really went hand in hand and we almost ended up in the river going round a bend. Anyway, i arrived ... read more

What a difference a more honest tour "operator" makes to a day out. We actually got to see what we wanted, plus more. We are now in Battambang, having put ourselves through another day of bus rides. Remember what we the ride down to Kampot was like - the ride from PP to Battambang was worse. The bus was better - much more space, air-con worked - but the driver...well...talk about aggressive...and arrogant...he sat on the horn most of the way there, and the trip was about 5 hours. Not a nice little toot toot to let someone know we were coming, but long loud blasts, even when there wasnt any reason. Still, we made it. After dark unfortunately, which gives driving here a new edge - head / tail lights seem to be optional. All ... read more

Battambang takes some getting used to. Actually, it takes a lot of getting used to. Cambodia’s second largest city is dusty and grimy. Some patience wouldn’t hurt to ease into the dirt, fumes, and noise pollution. The provincial capital has little going for it. While small enough, there are no street signs or traffic lights. Battambang does not spiral out from any particular center roundabout. Its two markets are about as grungy and distasteful as they come, even for Cambodia. There are no proper sit-down restaurants with indoor dining rooms. The city hasn’t a single reason to be within the urban limits except for one saving ingredient. It is not Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh, or Siem Reap. In other words, its lack of any attraction is reason enough to come. In search of beauty? No city in ... read more