Crossing into Cambodia

Serendipity beach at sunset
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We had heard all sorts of horror stories about the border crossing from Thailand into Cambodia, but our experience couldn't have been easier, if a bit protracted.  Ideally we would have liked to make it Sihanoukville on the south coast of Cambodia in one day from Ko Chang, but had to stay a night in Ko Kong, a cambodian town on the border, due to no buses being available in the afternoon.  Like all overland travellors our initial impressions of Cambodia were not favourable, thanks to the immigration people - a visa to Cambodia officially costs $US20, they ask for it in Baht (currency of Thailand) a whooping 1200 Baht on this particular day.  100 Baht = approx $NZ4.30 - you do the maths!

I thought this was a ruin from the French period, but turns out it is a recent casulty of new rules regarding distance from the sea in due to the tsunami. They had to tear it down and didnt have enough money to put it back up again.
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It also started raining just as we crossed the border, by the time we got to our hostel it was a full on moonson storm.  It was great fun sitting in the open air lounge watching the plastic blinds trying to keep the storm out.  Definitely cooled us down a bit.

....the next big beach location in South East Asia...

The next morning we hopped on the boat to Sihanoukville - one sailing a day at 8am.  It was a pretty bumpy ride, but I think we got off lightly, no runs to the toilet at least.   We decided to get a hostel in the centre of town close to the bus station, as we are only staying one night.

Sihanoukville is trying to market itself as the next big beach location in South East Asia, so I decided to at least see the beach while we are here.  Unfortunately what I saw was what I was hoping not to see - a beach crowded by empty bars and restaurants with lots of rubbish on the high tide line and evident in the waves.  It is sad that in an effort to bring in the much needed tourist dollar they have destroyed what was once nice about the beach.  I hope that the offshore islands and other beaches that I dont have time to check out havent gone the same way.

Overall my initial impressions of Cambodia (apart from the immigration people) have been positive - everyone on the street says hello to you, including the very cute children.  And they aren't even trying to sell you anything!