Thursday, November 6th, 2003 – Day 261
There are three means of transport between Phnom Penh and HCM City via Moc Bai:
- 1) The direct bus is a large, air-con bus, which departs Phnom Penh from the station at the southwest corner of the Central Market T/T/Sat at 6:30AM. Departs HCM at 6:00AM. $12, 8 hours one way.
- 2) A bit cheaper are the daily minivans from Capitol GH and Neak Krorhorm Travel in Phnom Penh for $6.
- 3) Cheapest, local taxis depart from Market Chhbar Ampeou near the Monivong Bridge in Phnom Penh. 10,000R for a cramped and harrowing ride to the border. With the exception of the direct bus, you will take a taxi or van as far as the border, walk across and pick up another vehicle on the other side.
Visas are not available at the border so get your Cambodian or Vietnamese visa in advance. More information from http://www.canbypublications.com
I was at the Capitol at 6.30am and I had an ice coffee to rid myself on the last of my riel. We piled on the bus at 6.40am. It could fit about a dozen but they have over sold tickets as there were 2 Japanese tourists with no where to sit. They switched so to another bus. I got the seat up front beside the driver. There were all locals on the us except myself and the Japs.
The road has improved big time although its a 10 hour journey to Saigon (although you may be at the border for two these hours). It was a pleasant journey as I was up front. I took my shoes off and put my legs on the dash board. It was interesting viewing. I saw Oxen plough rice fields, monks collecting food from shops in the morning (with safron robes and umbrellas). We had to use one ferry to cross a river but we could stay on the bus.
Only one incident at the boarder. At Vietnam entry, they give a SARS free certificate but it costs 2000 Dong. I did not have it. They would accept Thai money but she would only give me half its worth. I asked another tourist for a loan. Its only 20 cent.
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Phnom Penh to Saigon – A group of minks collect supplies, gifts etc. from shop keepers. (06-11-2003)
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Phnom Penh to Saigon. A lone monk looks for supplies. Usually in South East Asia, they carry an umbrella to guard against the sun and usually they have a child to carry the bucket or vessle that people put things into. In Cambodia, you are not allowed shake hands or touch a monk. You can talk to them, but they usually they will not talk to women. In Thailand its similar althouh men can give them things with their right hand only (left handed people watch out, as the left hand (usually used to clean ones self in the toilet) is considered dirty. Females can not hand them anything. (06-11-2003)
Anyway I got to Saigon around 4.15pm. I know Saigon and have been before so I decided to try some hotels. Its tough (not) as there are about ONE HUNDRED hotels in the backpacker area. Every few yards, there is either a guesthouse or a hotel. Prices range from 4 USD for a fan room to 10 USD for a air-con room. Of course you can find more expensive places.
I did exactly what I should not have done. I started walking around checking out rooms instead of picking one in the first two or three. Over the next hour I checked about one dozen rooms. They is little to nothing to separate them and you soon forget the pros and cons of each. Basically, I ended up at one which I didn’t want but was too tired to move again. It was 6USD for a fan room, with local TV but a balcony. Its a big room with hot water.
I did little the rest of the day. I walked about and stumbled across a ear cleaning saloon. That’s right. Very fascinating to watch.
They scrape and probe inside ears with his little scoops and copper prongs, and a series of feather brushes.
I had a few beers and went to bed.