Cambodia – Phnom Penh 31/5/16 – 1/6/16

Day 14
Today we left our hotel at 6.45am, (gosh these days are getting longer), and was transferred to the port in Chau Doc, for a 6 hour “fast jet boat” to Phnom Penh. We were highly amused when we saw our mode of transport as it was a bicycle tuk tuk. So Tina was in the first and I was in the second, the traffic was as busy as at this time of day, but it only took us 5 minutes to get to the port.
Once there we waited half an hour before a guide came to check our names and details, and then we were off. Great journey passing many villages along the banks of the river, some people doing laundry, others fishing etc, all getting on with their normal lives. Around 1 hour into the boat ride it moored up against a floating pontoon, and the captain shouted “ everyone off the boat – we are at border control”. Gulp it looked pretty basic and in the middle of the river. The captain had already given us the necessary paperwork to complete and taken this and our passports. Once in the border control office, we were informed we needed US $35, and a passport size photo. We had been informed it was US $30, and we only had the US $60 for the both of us. Panic struck, what were we to do. We explained we had no other money in cash, but asked if we could pay by plastic. The captain looked at us strangely and just laughed, as we were in the middle of a river, in no man’s land! Eventually he agreed to loan us the extra as long as we repaid him when we arrived in Cambodia. Phew panic over. We were then let back aboard his boat, however still no sign of our passports. The boat set off, and once again about 30 minutes later the boat came to a standstill and he again shouted out, “everybody off the boat – customs”. Again panic, what was happening? This time we were at the Cambodian border control, and this time it was on dry land. A very strange place as it was just a block of land, with several buildings. Everyone was escorted to this outdoor area apart from us – OMG – we were asked to sit in another area, as I had no photo. A lady came up to us and asked we followed her, ( it was like being in a movie), what were they going to do with us? where were we going? Where were we? Thoughts were jumping through my mind as quick as a jet plane taking off. We were escorted around the back of a building, where she asked me to stand against a wall. I quickly looked for bullet holes, but thankfully there weren’t any. She then reached inside a large black bag and pulled out………a camera. Phew heartbeat back to normal. Once this was completed we joined the others, sat in the shade in the middle of the buildings. The lady disappeared and soon returned with 8 photos of me, which we gave to the captain. He then took them away, and they were returned with our passports shortly afterwards. Next we queued at one of the buildings whilst we all got the necessary stamps in our passports. If you ever do this trip, or if your travelling across this border, please be prepared with everything needed. I sweated like crazy the whole time and was as nervous as, so I must have looked like those dodgy tourists we see on TV in Border Security.
Back aboard and a few hours later we were in Phnom Penh on the shore of its river. The captain grabbed me and asked me to follow him. OMG again! This time he showed me to an ATM, where I drew out cash and repaid him.
Our guide for Phnom Penh met us and showed us to a swanky restaurant close by and said lunch was ready. It’s amazing how panic and adrenaline can make you so hungry. We ate a beautiful meal consisting of veg, fish skewers and the best chicken curry ever. Next we were driven to our hotel where we booked in, as our driver said we had 30 minutes before our tour started. So quick shower, change if clothes and we were back in the car. We had a private tour of the fabulous Royal Palace of His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia. Wow this place was huge and right bang in the centre of town. He was I residence so we didn’t get to see all of it. Also our guide stated there was a rally on today by the opposition so most of the grounds were closed to the public. He added that if we went out later tonight to stay away from them, as there were a heavy influence of police and army, and any “white person” is automatically seen as the opposition! GULP AND MORE GULP. The palace was spectacular, gold and lavish, everything you would expect from a Royal Palace. The throne room was a dazzling spectacle with its lavish carpets, and a painted ceiling, one to match the Cistern Chapel in Italy. He informed us a lot about the royal history in Cambodia, including that it’s history is made up of 3 eras, pre Angkor, Angkor, and post Angkor. Great history lesson as again we know very little on this subject. After this tour we continued with a tour of the National Museum, again in the city centre. This place was huge, full of stone artefacts from the 5th century. Amazing as most were in prestige condition. So what followed was another history lesson of Cambodia, again everything stated matched up with our first tour. We were then taken back to our hotel for “free time”. Which we were glad about as we had been on the move for 11 hours today. Back at the hotel we found that it had a sky roof bar, so headed straight there for a few beers as day turned into night. What a day, emotionally, mentally and physically. As per normal we’re too shattered to venture into the city, so an early night again as we are being picked up at 6.45am tomorrow.
This was our 6 month travel anniversary.