Arriving at the Moc Bai border crossing from Saigon on the Sinh Cafe Bus.
Arriving at the Moc Bai border crossing from Saigon on the Sinh Cafe Bus.
I departed for Phnom Penh at 8:45am by bus from the front of the Sinh Cafe in Saigon, on the 14th of July'99. The bus ticket cost US$12 and after travelling for just over 2 hours, we arrived at the Moc Bai border crossing.
The Vietnamese Border Post at Moc Bai.
After unloading our backpacks, 9-10 of us walked into the immigration hall of the Vietnamese Border Post. The Vietnamese Immigration Police were their usual surly self's and after stamping my passport, he waved me thru to customs. The Customs Officer decided my backpack wasn't worth looking and having had my passport inspected for the sixth time, I walked across no-mans land to the Cambodian Border Post.
The Cambodian side of the Cambodian/Vietnamese Border at Moc Bai/Bavet.
The buildings on the right hand side are the Cambodian immigration
and custom offices!
The Cambodian Immigration Police actually seemed pleased to see us, and after filling in some forms, and getting my passport was stamped, I was officially in Cambodia! I walked about 100m to a small shack, where a lady selling drinks exchanged my remaining Vietnamese Dong into Cambodian Riel.
Looking east on the road to Phnom Penh at Bavet border crossing.
A 100m from the Cambodian Border Post, the bus from the Capitol Guesthouse in Phnom Penh was there to meet us. I had met some of its previous passengers at the border post, who were going on to Saigon on the bus from the Sinh Cafe. The bus driver collected my ticket and at about 12:30pm, we left for Phnom Penh.
The Cambodian countryside on the way to Phnom Penh from Bavet.
The road to Phnom Penh from the border was full of potholes, but it was still in good condition compared to some of the other roads in Cambodia. After travelling for over two hours we stopped for lunch, at a small town. I didn't have anything to eat, as the everything in the restaurant seemed to be covered in flies!!
The Cambodian town of Neak Luang on the Mekong River, about 100 km's east of Phnom Penh.
While waiting for ferry to cross the Mekong River at Neak Luang, our bus was swarmed by kids trying to sell us cans of soft drink etc. I made the mistake of opening the bus window to talk to one of the kids and about three of them tried to climb into the bus!
Crossing the Mekong River at Neak Luang, on the way to Phnom Penh.
The Mekong River at Neak Luang, Cambodia.
The bus arrived in Phnom Penh, at the Capitol Guesthouse about 4:00pm. The Capitol Guesthouse looked very noisy and crowded, so I walked to the Walkabout Hotel, where I ended staying for three nights.
This web page was written by Ian Holdsworth on the 10th
December'99, and may not be reproduced, copied etc., without the written
consent of the author.
Email: iholdsworth@optusnet.com.au