Sisophon and an Angkor Temple

Trip Start Nov 19, 2008
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Trip End Dec 01, 2008


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Flag of Cambodia  , Banteay Meanchey Province,
Sunday, November 23, 2008

After an eventful bus journey - with the clutch going just after leaving Phnom Penh we arrive tired and exhausted in the one horse town of Sisophon (we think the horse was on holiday as well). 3 hotels in the guide book - so headed for the Crown hotel - clean but owner spoke no english - which was going to cause a problem orgainsing the tour the next day - then found a restruant to practise of very limited Cambodian i.e. pointing at the book which said chicken and vegetables and rice - though the owner did seem to understand beer !! LOL .

Anyway armed with the lonely planet's extensive Cambodian dictionary I then headed into town to arrange a taxi to take us to the Angkor temple the next morning and hopefully a bus back to Battembang - easy at all other stops but the hotel staff's only english was "I don't know". Managed to arrange a car for $40 for the temple but found out that there was no bus after 12:00 and that we must take a share taxi.......... A picture of Us at the temple
A picture of Us at the temple
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Car promptly arrived at 9.00 am and after further 'negoitations' the price remained at $40 (with as Mo put it we dont do tips!!!) and we set off for a hour and half drive along a very bumpy dirt road until we reached a flooded ford - again there was a further 'negoitation' and we suggested turning round - so the driver and his mate got out tested the water for depth and then just went straight into the water (all for the continiuing price of $40).

The Angkor temple complex though was magnificent (see pictures) especially the reliefs of teh wars between the Khmer and Chams - as well we were the only people there wandering around the ruins. 

Our negotiation with the taxi driver then continued "You go to Battembag" "No bus - shared taxi 2 infront 4  on seat" "We drive you" and so on - finally after a lowering of the price we capitulated and are now safely in Battembang.
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