The Wild West of Cambodia

---

I had heard that you could get your visa for Laos at the Cambodian/Laos border. Unfortunately this turned out to be an urban legend. I was faced with a longer stay than I first anticipated, while I sent my passport to Phnom Penn to get an express Visa sorted out. I was in a little town called Stung Treng close to the border. When we arrived there was only one room left in the hostel. I was horrible, just a crappy bed with a 2cm thick mattress and no windows. There was no shower and after a long journey like we had to get there, that was something that was sorely needed. Also we were woken at 6am to the sound of the most god awful music! It was just a horrible experience and to be honest, there wasn't much do there, so decided to get out of there and make a little side trip to the Ratanakiri Province to a dusty little town called Ba Lung.

After a four hour, dusty, bumpy ride I made it to this wonderful town. It was a haven compared to where we had come from. We had a nice guesthouse with a shower, television, nice beds...pure heaven. We spent our time here relaxing, we even managed to get our nails done! Manicure and pedicure for two dollars, not bad. Also visited a volcanic late was really refreshing for the soul.

After a couple of days respite we went back to Stung Treng to collect our Visas and head to the beautiful Laos. I think that fate has a wonderful way of working in your favour, I really was glad the way things had turned out and that I had gotten the opportunity to see this side of Cambodia.

---

Photos

Volcanic Lake
The water was so clear I could see right to the bottom. It was lovely and refreshing to swim in this Volcanic Crator.

Ba Lung Attire
A fashion statement no...but if you had been to this town you would know it was a neccesity

Dramatic Skies
At night you could see a million stars, it is just so remote and beautiful.

Minority Village
Cambodian minority village. They don't speak the same language and they lead very basic lifestyles with no modern conveniences.

Swimming
I love water

Comments

[clare]

i miss you
i em....i have to say your blogs are fantastic....you should get a job writing for travel books, honestly, very insightful, i could alomost picture myself there....... looks like you really are having the time of your life..... missing our little dinner dates....chat soon take care xxxx your cuz clare

[auroracamel]

Miss you too!
Hey babe. Thanks for the compliment! Ye I am having a ball, just feel so lucky to be doing it and have to pinch myself all the time. Yeh I miss our dinners too! We will have to hook up in Australia...what date were you thinking of going again?