Old Hippie Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 I took the 3:30 a.m. bus (193 bht) from Mor Chit to Aranyaphrathet. The trip took about 3.5 hours, no traffic, and almost no stops. Along the way, comming and going, is a immigration check, don't be alarmed, but keep your passport ready to show. From the Aranyaphrathet, take a tuk tuk to the border, (maybe 60-80bht, depending on number of people) which is adjacent to the Border Market, if the driver doesn't drop you in front of the border, then just follow the crowd. Here's the border... look to your left, you'll see Thai immigration... Go in and get it all sorted out...no fee unless you have a visa over stay. Leave Thai immigration, and walk under this "temple" gateway, welcome to Cambodia! after you walk under this, look to your left, this is Cambodia immigration, go get your Visa here, $30 USD. and a passport photo. There will be people standing around with backpacks, so easy to spot. Sometimes a Border police agent will assist you, if you run into this guy... Be prepared to pay a bit extra, or really bitch. Last year, he got Si Saket girl and I for about 400bht in extra fees, ignorance costs money! After you leave with your new Visa, walk about 100 meters up, passed the Casinos (stop in and check them out, use the toilet, check out the buffets...) you will see another building on the right, this is where you go to get your visa stamped. If traveling with a Thai, there may be a 200bht stamp fee, free for farangs... (sorry no photos of Cambodian customs/immigration). Walk out, make a right, you'll see this statue... Welcome to downtown Poiphet! Look to your right along the circle, you'll see vans and motorcycle taxis to take you to the bus station to get a bus or taxi to Siem Reap...(sorry, no photo here either). I used a taxi, a late model Toyota Camry... Along the way, the driver may offer to stop. We stopped at a shop that had a fairly clean toilet, drinks and snacks...the toilet cost 5 BHAT! The driver dropped me off at the Guest house... Two Dragons Guest House is owned by an American, and his Thai wife. It is very clean, quiet, and the staff very helpful. The staff... Nid, the manager on the right speaks very good English, and can arrange a tour guide and driver for you, usually below the "agency cost." She is cool, and is also the evening bar tender. Food here is good (she cooks during the day as well) and food and drinks reasonably priced. The rooms range from $7-18 USD a night. Good place to meet other tourists and swap stories. I highly reccomend this place. Passes to Angor Wat... Cost $40 USD for a 3 day pass, which includes sunset access the night before the pass begins. You will also need a passport photo for this. The 2 day pass costs the same as a 3 day pass, and you will want to catch sun rise... and sunset... The driver will know the best spots. Food in Cambodia is good. Thai and international food can be found. prices range from dirt cheap in the market to god awful expensive in a high end restaurant or hotel. This dish.. is similar to "Issarn Suki" but they use oil and butter instead of broth, and the vegetables are sauteed rather than simmered. This dish is refered to as "Volcano Meat" I chose Venison, but other meats are available. Frog is also commonly served for those interested. The waitress will assist in cooking the food... This is another dish consisting of ground fish, vegetables and seasonings... Cambodian food doesn't seem as spicy as Thai food. They make a variation of Som Tom using mint instead of chillies, which was really good...street food is also available, and usually pretty good. REMEMBER, COOK IT, PEEL IT, OR DON"T EAT IT!!! Use caution, and you'll be fine. Here are some places I recommend, the restaurant Named "Chiep Sok" with "Volcano meat" and the "Two Dragon's Guest house." Contact me if they aren't clear enough. Here is my driver Mr. Maromon the right, and my guide Mr. San on the left. Both speak excellent English and can show you anything you want to see. Mr. Marom is an excellent driver, and Mr. San is an excellent/knowledgable guide. I Highly recommend both! The hotel can arrange a taxi back to the border. Expect a long line re-entering Thailand, and line cutting by groups is frequent and aggrevating. Sometimes a helpful person will offer to help expedite you through, hand him your passport and 200bhat inside it, wait and he will return, risky I admit. Walk through, into the market area on your right (be mindful of pickpocketing kids and beggers) find a tuk tuk to take you back to the bus station, maybe 60bht or so10-15 minute ride. Get the bus back to BKK, 193 bht. Come home, sort your pictures, and make a report. Additionally, I'll add, USDs are the preferred currency in Cambodia, though THB is also accepted, bargin on the exchange rate, and know the current rates. Cambodia is cool and makes a nice break from Thailand. The people are really nice, friendly, English is widely spoken, and the people eager to help. They also don't seem as greedy or spoiled, or scheming as Thais, just my opinion. Go and enjoy, I did! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lazyphil Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 great pix and words ::, i took the train to aran, bloody wooden seats if i remember correctly :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattaya127 Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Excellent report, OH. i'd call this the OP of the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJ_Blackowitz Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 indeed an excellet report. makes lonely planet look like a cookbook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nervous_Dog Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 Another eexcellant report, I liked the sunset shopt DOPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayjann Posted September 9, 2005 Report Share Posted September 9, 2005 GREAT post OH. thanks for the effort and the Photo's............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted September 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 WOuld have had more pictures, but 20 is the limit...would like to see more threads/reports/posts like this as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted September 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 Sorry, wrong info! After you walk under the "Temple arch" look to your right for Cambodian immigration! NOT on the left as I originally posted...Sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbaron Posted September 10, 2005 Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 Great report Hip, handy pics too, I'm sure this info will come in handy to a lot of lads planing to see A.Wat ... myself included. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattaya127 Posted September 10, 2005 Report Share Posted September 10, 2005 Sis' and I are taking my Mom there, in january. Flying, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.