THE DATE: April 24, 2012
THE TRIP
06:00 Today is the day Divimom and I will cross the border. It was our first time to cross the border and I was excited anxious. So many thoughts were running in my head. Will we be able to pass through? Will we be scammed? What if the immigration won’t let us pass? Will they stamp our passport? Where is our passport?? The last one may be bordering on panic, but see, it is quite understandable since we live in an archipelagic country. We don’t cross borders – we cross seas 🙂
06:30-08:40 Since we arrived early at the travel agency’s office, we have to wait outside. They opened around 6:30 and by that time, there were around 10 people waiting for their tour. The bus only had less than fifteen passengers, us included. We were with tourists who availed the agency’s Phnom Penh/Siem Reap tour. Though we only purchased bus tickets, we were still served bottled water and wet wipes. Good thing they don’t discriminate. In the bus, the bus driver’s companion asked for our passports. I think he also asked for 25 USD from other passengers for the visa but since we’re Philippine passport holders, we don’t have to pay anything. He wrote our names on the departure cards and attached Cambodian arrival cards on our passports. On the highway, we were flagged down by a police officer. Our driver must have been overspeeding. While waiting, a passenger asked to get off the bus to smoke but the driver’s companion refused to open the door and told her that she can’t go down. She asked why and said that the bus will not leave anytime soon since the driver is still talking to the police officer. Again, she was denied. She insisted to the point of raising her voice, and the driver’s companion finally let her get off the bus if only to stop the commotion. The traffic violation our driver allegedly committed took 20 minutes of our time. We were at the Vietnam border by 8:40. Transportation: 10 USD each
08:40-09:05 Contrary to my worries, crossing the border was smooth. We only had to follow our driver’s companion’s instructions on where to queue and where to wait . We don’t have to get our bags since the bus will also cross the border. We were given back our passports and had to write some more information. After clearing with their immigration, we waited for the others and boarded the bus to go to the border of Cambodia. ‘Til we meet again, Vietnam!
09:05-09:20 Like our experience in Vietnam border, it was also a smooth process on the other side. But this time, foreigners have to pay visa. Divimom and I were the only ones who don’t have to pay so we were the first ones to finish the arrival process – meaning, more time for picture taking. Hello Cambodia!!
09-20-09:50 We had a stop over at a nearby canteen for brunch. You can also exchange dollars to riel there: 1 USD = 4,000 KHR. We didn’t though, because my friend told me that USD is accepted in Cambodia.
09:50-13:00 On the road again to Phnom Penh. On the way, we noticed that houses/buildings have a miniature temple in front. They call it a ‘spirit house.’ Then, our bus had to board a ferryboat to cross the Mekong river. We didn’t have to go down as it will only take a few minutes. There were several women selling insects.. as food. My friend told me about this but I was not expecting to encounter them this early.. and on a boat. My brain’s telling me to try it and not be such a chicken. But my taste buds and my stomach are telling me that I’ll regret it if I did it. Two to one. Sorry brain, you lose.
13:00-13:30 When we arrived at the agency in Phnom Penh, I was expecting our free ride to Okay Guesthouse to be waiting there since I emailed them the night before with our travel details. Nobody’s waiting there for us. I didn’t want to hire a tuktuk because I’m not familiar with the place and I don’t know the rate. I also didn’t get the contact details of the guesthouse because I didn’t think we will be needing it. Good thing we can use the internet at the agency. I searched for the number of the guesthouse and called them to pick us up. The driver arrived ten minutes later. I’ll write a separate post for my review of the guesthouse but for now I’ll give them a 3 out of 5 rating. At the agency, you can exchange USD to KHR at the rate of 3,400 KHR. Accommodation: 10 USD
13:30-14:30 After resting, I asked the receptionist if the Russian Market is open and how to get there. I read somewhere that you can buy cheap branded clothes in that market. However, she told me it’s closed and opens only on certain days. Don’t know if it’s true since I didn’t actually search for it on the net. I also asked how to get to the killing fields and S-21 and how much it will cost us. She said that we can hire the tuktuk driver that brought us there for 12 USD. According to the receptionist, it’s already cheap and that it will be better if we’re going to use their tuktuk because theirs is ‘trustworthy.’ Transportation: 12 USD
14:30-15:15 It was a long tuktuk ride as the killing fields is quite far.
15:15-16:45 The entrance fee is 2 USD each but if you want to rent an audio guide, it’s 5 USD each. We rent one audio guide and I served as a tour guide for Divimom. Though I am familiar with Pol Pot’s name (I had a subject in World History back in high school), I don’t remember if he is famous or infamous and why. This is where I learned who Pol Pot is and what he did. The killing field was a quiet place. It was sad. It was depressing. At one point, it was even eerie. After the tour, I was heartbroken. Entrance fee: 7 USD
16:45-18:00 Long tuktuk ride to S-21.
18:00-19:00 S-21’s site is a former high school. It was the notorious Security Prison 21 during Pol Pot’s regime. This is where they take prisoners to be tortured before bringing them to the killing fields. Aside from equipment used for torture, there were mugshot-like pictures of people – men, women, elders, children – that were imprisoned and killed. I can almost see the fear in their eyes. We left with a heavy heart. Entrance fee: 2 USD each
19:00-20:00 Before we head back, we asked our driver to bring us to a bakery. Divimom wants to make sure we have something to eat during the anticipated long ride tomorrow to Siem Reap.
20:00-21:30 Minutes after arriving at the guesthouse, we decided to look for dinner. There’s a park near the guesthouse where several groups are dancing/exercising. We looked for rice meals near the park but unfortunately, they only sell noodles. I guess rice is not popular in that area. Divimom settled for fried noodles with egg sold near the park. We watched a group of teenagers dancing their hearts out. After a depressing tour, the view is very much welcome.
For consistency’s sake, 1 USD is 4,000 KHR and 1 USD is 43 PHP.
