Going to Battambang

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It was still pouring rain when we woke up. We walked down to where we had breakfast slipping and sliding. The roads aren't paved and when mixed with water it turns into a huge mud pit. I ended up taking off my flip flops and walking in bare feet because it was easier. We finally arrived covered in mud. We had decided that we didn't want to do the rest of the tour because of the weather, and our dissappointment in everything the day before. Of course our guide wasn't happy that we were leaving as he booked everything, and they insisted we pay 50% of what we hadn't done. So when we started adding it up off the price sheet on the wall he says , " oh no, thats different price then package tour." Yea, no kidding it is... its WAY CHEAPER!! We should've just done that rather then the tour. We could've picked and chose what tours we wanted to do. Anyway, we felt like jerks leaving early but after all the mishap we predicted we probably would'nt have enjoyed the rest of the stuff anyway. Out a little bit of money we aren't happy, but we'll put it behind us, be cheap for the next few days and continue on our way.

The drive back to Sisaphon took almost 2 hours due to the road conditions. Scooters were sideways on the road, people were pushing their peddle bikes and all cars were fish tailing and crawling along. The taxi driver took us to the bus station and within 30 minutes we were on a local bus on our way to Battambang.

Battambang is the 2nd largest city in Cambodia. When we got off the bus tuk tuk drivers swarmed us asking where we were going. We mentioned the name of the hotel (Banan Hotel) and someone says ' oh I work for them, I will take you for free", and I was like "Free???" and he reassured me that "yes, free." And sure enough he drove us at no cost. We think the hotels give him a gas voucher or something. The room we are in is a good size with lots of furniture and a king size bed. And get this, a real shower stall!! We had showers then went out to get something to eat. We are really close to the Vietnam Consolate so we headed there and got our Vietnam Visas. We had a choice between 1 month or 3 month, so we went for the 3 month. It only took 15 minutes to get it!

We had lunch at a little cafe restaurant then came back to our room to relax for a bit.

Later we headed out for dinner and ate at a place called Gecko Cafe which was recommended in the Lonely Planet. The lime mint freeze I had hit the spot! Craving some western food Tris and I both ordered burgers. The couple that ordered before us ordered taco salad. When our burgers arrived they tasted a little taco'ey. I'm assuming they didn't wash out the pan before cooking them haha.

I read online somewhere that Centre Cafe sells cheap tansport tickets so we went there to ask some questions about getting to Phnom Penh. He only charges $3.50!! Everywhere else wants $5! HE also said that he can get us a tuk tuk for th day to take us to the surrounding sites for $10! Our hotel wants $20! What a rip eh! We kind of expected it was a rip when they said that, but it goes to show you how stupid some white people are. The crappy thinga bout that is the hotel will give the driver 10$ out of the 20, and keep the rest for themselves! Horrrible! Tomorrow morning we are going to head back to Centre Cafe and grab a tuk tuk for the day. We plan on heading to Phnom Penh the day after.

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