From Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: a return

Route: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Date: 28 June 2019

Mode: Bus (Sleeper box)

Duration: 11:30pm to 4:25 am

Fare: 7 USD

Difficulty: None, only longer than airplane ride

Highlight: Smooth travel, sleep lying down with ample space, with curtains for personal space, see places passed by during the day, smooth ride (less bump)

Visiting the pagoda and exploring the artisans' place at the heart of Siem Reap is the highlight of the day. I also saw Siem Reap by the day as it turns itself into a sleeping bat amidst quietness, slow movement of vehicles, people sheltered in buildings and closed shops and boutiques, and the timid Tonle Sap River. Slowly, the day turns into an alive colony of bats as it becomes busy towards the night. By the dark, Siem Reap becomes completely charged with teeming energy. It is as alive as the restless bats hunting for food at night.

At the end of the day, I met my driver friend and has few shots of beer before departure. The pick up van arrived ahead of time. I offered to pay my share of the drinks but they declined instead. I appreciated their gesture much and thanked them before leaving.

I left the transportation booth at 10 pm and rode a van that sent us passengers to the terminal. It was a convenient transfer. I saw Americans and Europeans among the passengers. Some would alight at Phnom Penh and the others go directly to Ho Chi Minh.

Again sleepers would have to be put in a plastic. I thought that I would just be awake along the trip but I surprisingly slept deeply along the way. The bus sleeper box is powerfully inviting for sleep. I think it is designed that way - as if an ammonia is poured around to doze passengers, lolz.

I reached Phnom Penh again at 4:25 am the following day. It was still dark but there are dim streetlights along the way. I decided to have a walking tour towards the Post Office again and it would be there that I would get my ride to Ho Chi Minh. But that should still be in the evening because I was invited for a coffee by a new acquaintance in Phnom Penh. As I walked, I passed by longs roads, closed boutiques, just opened shophouses, a market, and intersections. I stopped for a while when I saw a bus station at the Capitol suburb. The station also has a restaurant and a hostel. I took my breakfast there for a while thinking that I need energy for the continuous walk. Then the reservation booth for bus transport opened. I asked if they have a bus going to Ho Chi Minh and the teller affirmed. They also showed me the schedule of departures and the fare. I then decided to reserve for the morning trip and cancelled any plan to walk around Phnom Penh. I reserved for 8:00 am trip. The lady teller told me that the trip would take us around 6 to 7 hours. Four hours from Phnom Penh to the border and 2 hours from the border to Ho Chi Minh.