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Phnom Pehn
This marks a large intersection in Phnom Pehn. I'm not sure what it symbolizes. Photo Above: Ochheuteal Beach, Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Phnom Penh
One thing you notice here is the traffic chaos. Motor Bikes come at you from all directions. It doesn't matter if it's a one-way street, if it's a double lane expressway or even if it's a sidewalk. A visitor here is more likely to suffer from a traffic accident than a mugging although Phnom Penh has a reputation for that as well, especially after they cut back the armed forces and all those unskilled workers with weapon-smarts, were put on the street.
There are quite a few Lexus SUV's barging their way through the streets clogged with motor bikes. Lots are owned by the NGO workers ostensibly to better help the poor people. The truth is they lead a cushy life-style that couldn't be duplicated back home and are basically paper-pushers who don't want to innovate lest they undermine someone else's position.
April 13th through to the 17th is the Khmer New Year. No water throwing frenzy like in Thailand but almost everything in the city is closed for a few days. It's one of the few times you can cross the street without too much anxiety. This is
the time of year that the people in Phnom Penh return to their home villages for a few days. Be careful as this holiday approaches because people go on a rampant pillage in order to buy gifts.
April 18, 2008: Three foreigners have died in the past 10 days in suspicious circumstances - mainly due to drug use. They frequented the popular Heart of Darkness nightspot just before. In Cambodia and more so in neighbouring Viet Nam these deaths often go unreported. The ubiquitous Motorbike Taxis is like the mosquitoe of Cambodia. You step out of your hotel and someone yells from across the road, "MOTO ??". You shake your head, "no", and walk a few paces before the guy beside him shouts, "MOTO ??". Then before you can shake your head another fellow races towards you on his moto to ask, "MOTO ??" After a whole day of this as you are stepping
into your hotel you can hear a faint, "MOTO ??" behind you. It really is an exercise in self-control.
Sihanoukville
I took the bus down to Sihanoukville on the coast. It's more pleasant here. Accommodation is less expensive and
Mosque
The Cham people, although originally from Viet Nam, have the largest concentration in Cambodia. there seems to be a lot of expats living here. Lots are abandoning Thailand because of
all the visa difficulties. Even here in Cambodia at the Thai embassy when you get a Tourist Visa write along side it that this is the one and only for the life of the passport from this embassy. Strange.
The "Russians Are Coming", actually they're here. Lots of Russians! and Russian money being invested in hotels, bars etc. There's a Russian language TV station and
"Russia Today" TV station in English.
The Kmer New Year marked the beginning of the rainy season and it was right on!
Everyday and every night has had a heavy downpour.
Ochheuteal Beach (see photo): Popular with backpackers. Lesser quality, higher price.
Victory Hill is the place where backpackers used to stay years ago. Although not that popular with backpackers it still is appealing in some ways. A number of expats rent houses in the area.
Bangkok Post, May 8, 2008: A fourth Kmer Rouge soldier has been arrested in the role of 1996 kidnapping / murder of British mine clearer Christopher Hawes. That took over 10 years!
The southern road from Sihanoukville to
Hat Lek at the Thai border is open. You don't have to use the rip-off boat anymore. They're even in the process of building bridges so you don't have to go across on a ferry. The bridges should be completed by the end of this year but right now you have to gather your stuff and walk across to change buses.
The Cambodian border customs/immigration is rather quick. They've already abused you on the way over. The Thai crossing is also alright although they do look carefully in your passport to make sure you haven't used up your 90 days in the last six months. See, www.thaivisa.com.
One complication/scam that can occur at this particular border crossing is fining you exhorbitantly for taking more than one bottle of liquor or one carton of cigarettes or one electrical apparatus. It happens although a fellow in my bus said he regularly takes 6 cartons of cigarettes and has never had a problem.
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