Advertisement
Published: October 19th 2012
Edit Blog Post
You would think I would learn my lesson, especially someone who lives by the adage: “Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice, shame on me”
My latest Cambodian bus nightmare started out innocent enough, I was at the bus stop, which was a fork in the road by a round-a-bout, promptly at 7 and took my seat #23. The bus pulled out about ½ full this time and I was hopeful to have an empty seat next to me. Well, 4 stops later and the bus was full except for the seat next to me. At this time I noticed I was the only foreigner on the bus which could only mean 1 of 2 things; I am the only moron who knows not to ride this bus company, or it was just a coincidence. I am going to pray for the latter. 2 stops later and I was sharing a seat with a lady and 2 kids. Are you kidding me! The thought of riding 3 hours with 2 kids crawling over me was more than I could take. I was planning my exit strategy, despite the fact that I might be dumped along the side of
the road between Kampot and Phnom Penh. I was ready to climb on top of one of these vans and ride to PP that way if need be. The next stop had the stools coming out and people were sitting on the tiny plastic stools in the aisle, and right beside me was this little old grandmother. I stood up and let her have my seat and I took the stool, which as uncomfortable as it was, the grandmother played with the 2 kids for me.
The bus made a rest stop halfway at some roadside lean too and someone literally had to help me up off that stool it was so low. I exited the bus and weighed my options after walking to the side of the road. It looked bleak as I saw these ride share vans passed by loaded to the gills, and they seem to stop at every hole in the wall along the way, I knew the only way of getting to PP and making my flight was to gut it out. That $55 was looking much better now – lol!
Some 2 or so hours later (seemed like 8), the bus stopped
on the edge of PP and quite a few people exited the bus, which allowed me to take a seat. That uncomfortable bus seat seemed like a lazy boy compared to that stool. Made it to the bus station 4 hours after leaving Kampot (they said 2 ½ hour ride), and found me a tuk tuk and he guided me through the very busy streets of PP to the airport. Between the bus and the tuk tuk, the total cost was $16, I would gladly have paid $100 for the taxi on hindsight!
I was starved on arrival and found this BBQ Chicken place and had some good old fried chicken and French fries before heading to my gate. It was really good to be honest, but 2 drinks and the meal was $9, and that was the most expensive meal of my trip so far. Of course, airport food! I was very lucky though for one reason, the day before the former kings body had flown in from Beijing and the airport was a nightmare I heard, then a lot of the roads were closed for the procession to the Royal Palace which some 1 million people lined
the streets to watch and pay their respects. What a difference a day makes.
As I was headed to the gate area I noticed a sign for a prayer room, I was hoping that was not some indictment on Cambodian Angkor Air, which is a new airline that was not around when I was here last time. I did not go to the prayer room, but found time to cover my bases just in case. The trip from PP to Siem Reap was only 45 minutes and the best experience of the day. Money well spent!
I found a place in Siem Reap with a pool so I can just chill my last 2 days in Cambodia. Had some Korean BBQ last night that was very good and on my way back to the hotel saw a couple of night market spots to check out later for those promised trinkets.
I have some had some people email me questions, and I will get to those later.
Happy Travels, Don
Advertisement
Tot: 0.128s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 10; qc: 49; dbt: 0.048s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Donna
non-member comment
Somehow I just knew that a trip would not be complete without a at least one "battle with the kids" situation. Thank goodness for the Nana that saved you (yea for all of us Nana's). I have enjoyed your trip soooo much. Thank you for "taking" us with you. I just love the travel blog entries. It has been a breeze to use and I just love it that the pictures are so readily available and no downloading to have to wait on. It is also nice to be able to just arrow from next/previous. Duh....it was a few blogs down the road before goofy me figured that out but I will know next time. You enjoy the last bit of your time away. Take care and we will be praying for your safe return. Love you so much little brother, Stuster