Cambodia to Vietnam-Ha Tien Border Crossing

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It only takes (tongue in cheek) nine hours to get from Kampot, Cambodia to Saigon, Vietnam using the Ha Tien Border crossing. We decided to do it and it was only eighteen USD each. That would save us a trip and another hotel fee in Phnom Penh so we paid the tickets and our ticket agent said a mini bus would pick us up at 9:00 from our guesthouse.

9:10. 9:15. 9:30. Steven rode down on a bike to the agency-problem with the mini bus. She said go back and wait. A car pulls up-the owner of agency. We get in, pick up an Aussie couple in the same situation as we are in, and off we go. The guy was flying-so we thought he must be either trying to make up time, or he is crazy, or both. We get to the border crossing, have to pay 1USD each (no such fee exists), the driver leaves the car in gear when he gets out, I yell to the Aussie in the front seat "hit the gear shift!", she jams it into park and pulls the emergency break (if we would crashed into the border patrol no telling when we would have gotten out of there), driver comes back and tells us to "walk" and he makes the driving gesture and points to the other side, at least we hoped that is what his gestures mean. All four of us walk through dirt and pass guards not really paying attention, past the metal detector which I am not so sure had any power to it, and onward into Vietnam. Back into the car and flying down dirt roads again. He turns right and the bus is pulling away-he stops the car in front of the bus so it can't pass, we jump out, grab our backpacks, say a quick good-bye and good luck as they are going by ferry to Phuo Quoc Island, and run to the bus. Eight bumpy hours later we land at the bus station in Saigon, where we get into a mini bus with two young ladies, one from Spain and one from Columbia, and head off to District 1. The driver drops off all of the Vietnamese, then as the last one gets out he tells us he doesn't know where District 1 is and says a taxi is waiting. As soon as we get out he takes off. No taxi waiting. We reassure the girls that we can get them to their hotel-we hail a taxi and we get the girls to their hotel, check into ours, and within an hour we have eaten our bahn mis, drank our fruit shakes, and are sitting in our favorite cafe with Saigon Reds. The young lady that runs the fruit shake stand remembered us from last year. Now just when someone out there reading this thinks that is really sweet, she told me I was wider this year. And just in case I didn't understand her english she showed me exactly how much wider I am with her hands this year vs last year.

We are off on the easiest part of the trip tomorrow. Travelling up the coast of Vietnam-staying in Mui Ne, Nha Trang, and then Hoi an. Nothing but beaches, beer, and seafood for the next twelve days. We actually deserve this. We travelled four countries in under two weeks-and have decided that is not the most relaxing way to travel.

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Comments

[Paul Le]

Inappropriate compliment
Not very long time ago, all the Vietnamese would like to be fatter, and like to say "you are wider/fatter now" as a usual nice compliment to someone "long time no see". Nowadays, most Vietnamese don't like to be fat but many still have the habit of saying that old and inappropriate comment. I feel sorry that the young girl might have confused or disappointed you. Have a good time in Vietnam! Paul

[SuzieQnSteven2]

That explains it!
Hey Paul-thank you so much for the explanation. I didn't get upset-I thought it was funny. Although, she did put a lot less sugar in my fruit drink than last year.... Thanks again for the helpful comment. Suzie