Phnom Penh (again)

I had a bit of a problem when I went to get my bus from Kampot to the city. I handed over the slip from my hotel and the guy looked worried and said it was no good! He then, 5 min before the bus was due, sent me back to my hostel to get it sorted out. It was then I realised that the muppet who sold me the ticket had put the wrong date on! Luckily, this was quickly resolved and I was on my way.

I had to try and get hold of a Thai visa, because I needed more than the 14days that you are given when you cross into the country by land. So I headed there first thing and was hugely dissapointed when they told me it would take 4 days, plus the weekend! Arghh! I did not want to be stuck in the big city with nothing to do for another 5 days, so I pleaded for them to do it to be ready the following day. Reluctantly they seemed to agree. I later spoke to a couple who told me they asked the same question to the guard outside, who had told them, 'yes, but you pay me $20'. They asked the receptionist who said 'yes, but you pay me $15'. The cashier told them "yes, but you pay me $10", but when they complained that it should be free, they got their way!

I returned the following day a little nervous that it would not be ready. I arrived just after 15.00, as the collections were from then until 16.30. The room was already pretty full, but there seemed to be a distinct lack of official persons, or passports. One and a half hours later....the passports finally arrive to cheers! However, this was only the first batch for those who applied 4 days ago. It was another hour before I was, with almighty relief, able to collect my own.

So, I was set free from Phnom Penh and with great excitement, I booked my ticket to Siem Reap.