At border paid a guy to go through customs, immigration, stamp me out of Thailand, and stamp me into Cambodia for me. As soon as I walked across border was immediately met by 20-30 taxi hawkers. Finally had to tell them in redneck terms to leave me alone, I was tired, and all I wanted to do was set on the curb a few minutes and rest. Its a few minutes after 6 now.

The going rate to Koh Kong, about 4 miles from border, is $5 for motorbike (motorcycle) and $10 for taxi plus toll (tourist rate). Local rate is l/2. Set there with 20 or more starring at me and finally said $5 and you pay toll. I had the pick of many taxis. Koh Kong is about l/2 the size of Gunter.

Take me to bus station. At Bus station the girls all recognized me from last year and and a motorbike taxi driver I met last year was there. I told them not to mess with me it had been a bad day and I was not my usual nice guy.
The girls were nice and the taxi driver told me there was a new hotel in town only opened l month with swimming pool.
I'll take it. He took my passport and bags and had me checked in by the time I walked there about 5 minutes. He was there the next morning and took bags and put on bus. The day finally came to a halt at 6:20PM. It was a long day.

I was on a tour bus. Next time I am in Bangkok this travel agent will "loose face".

Bangkok to Cambodia

For several reasons always buy tickets myself and not from travel agents. This week bought a bus ticket from Bangkok to Trat from a travel agent. The procedure is bus from Bk to Trat, mini bus from Trat, run every 30 minutes, to border town of Koh Kong, Cambodia. Leave Bk at 8AM and arrive in Koh Kong at l:30 no later than 2PM.

Saturday morning bus attendant wanted 200 more bahts and said bus didn't stop in Trat but went to border. Argured with her but she assured me that I would get to the border. My voucher (ticket) did not look the others when I got on bus. Got a little apprehensive but too late to do anything. The people on the bus were all foreigners and didn't speak Engligh.

About 40 miles from Trat the bus turned off highway and went down this narrow street. About 40 minutes later the bus pulls up to a pier and ferry crossing. Now this is serious, time to pop a Valium. From pier, I had to take a Thai Taxi ( a pickup setting in the back) for 2 hours to Trat and then a mini bus, another 1 1/2 hours to Koh Kong.

Budda Spirit House

Budda Spirit Houses are located on patios, in yards, side of roads, etc. Buddist believe that when they die their spirits go and live in one of these houses. They are communial, not individual residences for the spirits.

People put water, food, and paper money in the house. The money bows away, no one eats the food or drinks the water. Don't know why they do all of this if its not used.

Statue of Budda in the center.