Dan's Adventure

As mentioned in my previous post, Itinerary for Vietnam, I plan to leave Vietnam by boat from Chau Doc and travel up the river to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. When the boat reaches the border everyone needs to get off to go through immigration. Cambodia issues visas on arrival at its border crossings so I won’t need to worry about getting one in advance. The tourist visa currently costs $20USD but its apparently normal for the border officials to demand more.

When thinking of Cambodia, I can’t help but think of Holiday in Cambodia by the Dead Kennedys and be reminded of the Khmer Rouge regime. Tuol Sleng in Phnom Penh which was once used as a prison by the Khmer Rouge is now a genocide museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields where almost 9000 bodies were discovered are just south of it. A very somber thought indeed.

After a lot of travelling in Vietnam I think some relaxing will be in order so a trip to Kep or Sihanoukville for a few days is on the cards. Following a trip to the coast I will be heading north towards Battambang and Siem Reap. Just north of Siem Reap lies Angkor which contains the spectacular Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s most famous sight

As I make my way towards Laos I will pass through Kompong Cham before arriving at Stung Treng where I will get a bus to Laos. At most of the Laos border crossings you can get a visa on arrival but at the Cambodia/Laos crossing they unfortunately don’t issue them. On arrival in Phnom Penh I will need to find the Embassy of Laos to apply for a visa. The Embassy is open from Monday to Friday 08:00-11:30 and 14:00-17:00. All being good I will arrive in Phnom Penh before it closes for the day and can collect it 48 hours later for $30USD or 12 hours later for $40USD. If I arrive on a weekend a return trip to Phnom Penh will be required to pick it up!