I feel like I am starting each post applogising for how late it is,So sorry about that but I do hope you enjoy it and promise the next one is coming next week.
While I was down and out trying to recover in Bangkok, my visa was running out, and I had to make plans to leave the country. I remember going to the hospital and telling the Doctor I cannot come back because of my visa situation, and she promised she would call me with test results before I left the country. I was still not 100% due to an allergic reaction to one of the antibiotics I was taking. I did the tests and said a little prayer.
I had no choice I had to leave, and all I could do is just trust that God would help me through this situation. I started feeling better, but I wanted the reassurance that nothing was wrong so I could enter this new adventure with no worries.
I booked a bus to Siem Reap from Bangkok on the 6th of November I stayed in a hostel the night before and had to get myself mentally ready for travel life again.
I was down and out for an entire month, and it is so easy to fall into depression when things don’t go your way. I had to snap out of my funk and learn to be happy again. Early the Friday morning I woke up and got ready for my 10-hour journey. We set off on the first leg of the drive to the border that took 4 hours.
We arrived at a restaurant and was told to get out and hand over our passports I was a little confused but then found out they were doing our visa. We were totally ripped off spending way too much money on the visas, but we didn’t know any better. Thankfully it was all done legally.
As we got back on the bus to take us to the border crossing my phone rang. It was the Doctor she had my test results, and it all came back clear. I was so relieved just the sign I needed to enjoy the next few months on the road alone.
We were then told a very odd story and thinking back now I was silly to believe it. If ever you find yourself in this situation, please don’t fall for it.
A Thai guy that helps you with the border cross and through passport control will tell you that there are no ATM’S in Cambodia, and the chances are very high that you will get your card stuck in the machines.
Knowing no better he then continued to tell us to draw out money at the Thai ATM conveniently placed near to us and then once we get over to the Cambodian side we can change it into Riel the Cambodian currency with no extra charge. About ten girls not knowing any better followed his instructions and we were so silly to do that. ( clearly he was getting commission from this.)
In Cambodia, they use their currency Reil and US Dollars. At most places they will have both prices, and the exchange is the same.
Tip change money to Dollars it will make your life so much easier.
So that was our scam we all made it across the border in one piece got onto the next bus, and the bus breaks down just our luck.
We were about 15 girls packed into a minibus with about 5 Cambodian men around us and we have no idea what’s going on. It was a scary but odd situation. With some hand gestures, we were told the bus was broken and we will use the other bus strategically parked nearby. We made sure we had all our belongings and made our way to the fourth bus of the trip. Along this 10 hour bordering on 12-hour journey in the dark now we finally arrived in Siem Reap.
What an adventurous journey from over priced visas to changing all our cash into Riel and a broken down bus later the bright side of this experience making 4 awesome friends! Three British girls and an Israeli. We then went to our hostel and made plans to meet up the next day to do Angkor Wat.
So I will end this post here and continue the next one with my temple ruins experience of the majestic Angkor Wat.
Peace love and Happiness
Cherry ♥
Great post!! 😄
Thank You so much really appreciate the comment!!