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Cambodia. Trains, Tuk Tuks and Mini-Vans. Oh My.

Destinations · May 14, 2014

I promised this post awhile ago but I have been so busy creating content and preparing for a 3-month work/pleasure trip that writing for fun got kicked to the curb for awhile. This post has been sitting on the bottom of my to do list for far too long and it’s time to get it crossed off.

In case you missed it, you can read my Cambodia posts here: Angkor Wat, Siemp Reap, Cambodia and Tonlé Sap Lake & Floating Village, Cambodia. While I really loved my time in Cambodia, I didn’t love getting there. In fact, most of our travel is done by the cheapest means possible. Let me just say that you get what you pay for – which is close to nothing mind you.

Our trip started with a 6:00 AM train. We arranged to get to the train station and meet up with a friend, Robin, at 5:30 AM. I am sure you realize by now how much this thrilled me and the two teenagers that came along. Needless to say, I was very happy to find this:

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Back to the train. For about $3 each, we secured a seat (if we could find one) on a 6-hour train to Poipet, on the Thailand Cambodia border. It’s sort of like Southwest Airline boarding without the orderly lines. After a free-for-all dash for seats, we were lucky enough to secure one for each of us – but not together. Robin and the boys sat together and Way and I sat together. Yeah for Robin.

I must say I think this was the most uncomfortable and longest train trip – EVER! Sorry for the lack of focus but I was being tossled about as I took this. Notice the fans in the roof – that was our air.

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We did meet some interesting people, however. Like this lady and her daughter traveling with about a million frogs under the seat.

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I don’t sleep well during travel but Way doesn’t ever seem to have that problem. He’ll probably kill me for posting this – oh well. A motivation for him to stay up and talk to me next time.

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While Way was sleeping, I was mostly doing this:

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After an excruciatingly long trip, we finally made it to the border. Luckily Robin and the boys were sitting with a Swedish man who gave us a tip to go to the Cambodian Consulate before the border to get our Visa. It costs 200 THB more but you save the time of waiting in the long visa line.  Eliminating one of three long lines sounded very appealing at this point.

So before heading to the border from the train station, we took a little jaunt to the Consulate. Five people in a tuk tuk – also not so fun. But eventually, we made it here.

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After waiting in line to officially depart Thailand and then waiting in line to officially enter Cambodia, we were off to Siem Reap. Another two hours by mini-van. Carter was required to pose with me twice on the trip. I am not sure why I wasted one here. Notice Way, he is becoming quite the photo bomber.

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We finally arrive at our destination. Thankfully.

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At this point, I am thinking of taking up residence in Cambodia just to avoid the trip back. For some reason Way doesn’t think traveling is traveling unless you suffer, are uncomfortable and it takes a really long time. We need to raise his standards just a bit.

I am glad I got this post written as I leave for Macau in just a few days. While there for work, hopefully, I will make it outside for some sightseeing.  I will leave you now, with some more random photos from our first few hours in Cambodia.

[pe2-gallery album=”http://picasaweb.google.com/data/feed/base/user/113062331696934764562/albumid/6013489836343125761?alt=rss&hl=en_US&kind=photo” ]

 

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