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September 21, 2004

Back in Bangkok

Well, we are back in Bangkok after a very long trip yesterday. We left Sihanoukville by speedboat and headed to Koh Kong, from there we got into a truck for the trip to the border, after we crossed back into Thailand we got a 5 hour bus trip into Bangkok. I was very happy to see my hotel room, and even though I had had nothing to eat since the morning, was happy to go to sleep.

I have read in some book that Southeast Asia "assaults the senses" and now after being here I can't agree more. This trip has been wonderful and I only wish that I could have updated this log with more information more often so that I can always remember it all. But much of the time it was difficult to get to an internet cafe, and sometimes even when I did the computers were so ancient that they were nearly impossible to use.

I think I can say that I liked Cambodia more than Thailand overall, but I really shouldn't say that as I haven't spent as much time out in the country areas of Thailand, so maybe I would feel differently if I did. I loved Cambodia, but there are a few things that are disturbing for a traveller there. 1: Everyone wants to separate you from your money, as quickly as possible, and in any way possible. 2: When getting off a boat or leaving your hotel room, it IS NOT possible to walk anywhere, even a very short distance, without a hoarde of motorcycle drivers following you trying to get you to ride with them for money. Yesterday was literally the worst for Sean and I, and that is saying a lot because we've been hassled dozens of times. We got off the boat in Koh Kong, and about 100 people surrounded us yelling for us to go with them and literally trying to grab my arm or backpack and Seans' arm and pull us into their truck. I couldn't even find out how much the fare was and turn to someone else if it was too high. I finally got someone to agree with me on a price, and in the end we were ripped off when they insisted on more money. That's just the way it goes I suppose. But most of my memories will be happier. I really believe if we had not met Him and Chea the trip would not have been nearly as fun. We got a glimpse of what life is really like in Cambodia because of them. They invited us into their homes and we met their families. If we had only done the tourist things I really don't think we would have had a good impression of the people. It was Him and Chea that kept us safe and showed us the real Cambodia and I am in their debt.

Posted by Shonda on September 21, 2004 11:58 AM
Category: Travel Log
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