Very interesting trip to Phnom Pen. On a bus that was allowed over the border without our bags being searched, however when we boarded there were lots of packages stowed away in the luggage racks and under seats. Not sure what they contained but someone was sneaking stuff over the border!
It was about 2 hours south of Saigon, and swing inland to the border. We had to hand over our passports (not happy) and money (US) to get a Cambodian visa. I am sure someone was on the take! Our guide was with us and sorted things out, so actually rather painless. Apparently casinos, gambling, banned in Vietnam, but allowed in Cambodia, so over the border were miles and miles of dodgy looking casinos! Vietnamese can go across the border freely and hop over for a day gambling.
All in all, 7 plus hours to get to Phnom Pen.
One stop was at the Spider Village - pit stop for toilets (very gross - squatting, no toilet paper and fill up the bowl with a scoop of water from a bucket). Children were crowded around the bus door with huge tarantulas crawling all over them. If you let the spiders crawl over you and take a photo with the kid, you pay them $1 US. A way of child labour I guess. the Aussies were fine, they are used to spiders, but us - no way. One little girl giggled and laughed when she saw my face (my OMG face, get them away from me face!) and followed me around just to tease me with spiders. What a cutie.
Our hotel in Phnom Pen was a skyscraper, two years old, brand new, infinity pool on the 6th floor, where you could swim to the edge and look out over the city. Heaven at sunset and evening with the lights. It was all beautifully designed and classy. I laughed because the light switches were so modern even Dave couldn't work out where they were for ages Had our own water filter and coffee maker machine.
We ate and swam at the pool, cocktails at the pool, very relaxing.
KILLING FIELDS, DEAD PEOPLE
So, our one whole day in Phnom Pen, was spent in the heat visiting the Kings Palace, very large and glittery gold and gorgeous gardens.
After that was 40 mins to the Killing fields. A place that has become a monument to those killed in killing fields
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