Cambodia - Siem Reep
Trip Start
Oct 18, 2007
1
3
25
Trip End
Jun 2007
Siem Reap,
Cambodia
Thursday, October 25, 2007
from Bangkok. We now know why the backpackers call it scambodia!
We had every scam tried on us that we'd heard about.
We started off from kha San Road, Bangkok. The taxi and tuk-tuk
drivers didnt want to take us to the bus terminal, but tried to get us
to take the tourist bus. (3 times the price , and they purposly
take longer than they should to make sure that you have to book in to
their chose of hotel). We managed to get a taxi to the bus
station, and get on the bus ok, and met a couple of girls who were also
travelling (Canadian and German). we had planned to stay in
Thailand near the border at Aranthrpoet so we passed through the border
in daylight, but the girls were planning on going straight through the
border to Cambodia. We arrived at the border at about 4pm, so
decided to share a taxi with the girls to Siem Reep. After the 4
hour bus journey (2 of us travel sick) we arrived near the
border. We got in tuk-tuks to take us to the border only for our
first scam ! The drivers took us to the consulate and told us to
fill in forms and pay for our visas. We had read that you get
your visa after the border - luckly so decided to leave it. We got to
the border - lots of beggers and people trying to offer you things ie
visa s etc. Got stamped out of Thailand and then went for our
visas. There was a sign on the wall saying $20, but they asked
for more. We told them no - they finally accepted $25 each ( you
have to give them a backhander).
I was then desperate for the toilet - went to the toilet and realised
that I'd rather pee in a muddy field somewhere, so gave it a
miss. We then walked out of the border into the road with a man
that had been following us the whole way with a yellow shirt on saying
happy tourist holidays- He said that he would arrange a taxi for
us. I'd read about a scam with these people so said no thankyou
we'll get our own taxi. We walked out of the border, and there
wasnt any taxis - only 1 broken down looking car and a load of
bikes. The man told us that this was his taxi. We stood for
a bout half an hour thiunking about what to do. Eventually as it
was dark, we decided we had to go with the taxi thing. It was a
long bumpy road to Siem Reep - about another 4 hours along a mud
road! but we got there safely. The other girls had already
booked a hotel, so we decided to stay in the same hotel. Its a
pretty good hotel. We were quoted $15, but Gary told them
$10. I dont really think they understood, but we'll see.
Today we went to see Ankor Wat. The biggest temple. It was
really impressive. We got a tuk-tuk to take us around a few
different temples. There was one with really steep steps, worn
down, and Gary climbed it. I then decided to climb it, but took
the hand rail section. It was really scary beacause im scared of
hieghts. I froze half way up ! Anyway tomorrow we're seeing more
temples and then getting the boat down to Phnom pen.
