Wauw, this country is so different then Thailand... After 4 times (total of 5 months) in Thailand, I have to get used to it, but I love this new experience.

It started when I was at the border, waiting in the line for the immigration service, where they check your passport and visa. It was very busy and hot, it took me at least 45 minutes and I was lucky! A group of men they forced there way in the line, leaving 20 meters of people behind them, and I told them to line up at the back, as you should. They told me that they were waiting in the next line for 1 hour and that was the wrong line for them so they entered our line, but they were lying, because I saw them coming, just a few minutes ago. Even if they were wright, the polite thing to do is ask is you could step in the line, don't you agree? There was a security officer a few meters aways and I told him what was happening, another guy (Cambodian, probably a helper at the border) told the security officer that it was no problem and that was it... I can't stand it if something is happening that isn't wright, but what can I do in this case? I didn't understand why, untill these guys were in front of the line and gave the official there some money, 100 bath (around 2,5 $), so they just bought their way in the line!!! The officials are corrupt and can be bought for just a few dollars... welcome to Cambodia. I know this isn't the case only in Cambodia but this is the first time I saw it.

The roads in Cambodia are terrible, most of it is just a dirtroad with rocks, our minibus became a 'discobus', that is what the driver called it, to much noise and you can't sit still ;-) After a few hours on this bus, your bud will be num.

The countryside is mostly ricefields, with houses of dried leaves, most of them don't have electricity. Cows are used to help on the field, tractors are not common, it's so much less developed then Thailand! Now I'm in Siem Rep and this is a town, but you can't compare it with your average town, it's relaxed, not really big and it has a village atmosphere. Besides the Ankor Wat, there isn't much to see around here, but I like it anyway.

Tomorrow I'll visit the Ankor Wat, can't wait! Most people who saw it are really impressed. I tell you all abou it the next time I'm online.

Bye,
Linda

posted by Linda Meijer at 12:17 PM
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It's been a while, but I've been on a (almost) deserted beach (on Ko samed, yet another island) without internetacces. And I don't have much to tell now, because all I did was reading, reading and reading. My bungalow was 15 meters from the beach and sea, but I've only been there 4 times... I loved to sit on my porch, reading and enjoying the view. In the evening sometimes I would meet nice people to chat with, have a beer or play a game, so now I'm totally relaxed, ready for Cambodia!

I'll leave to Ankor Wat, Siem Rep, in Cambodia tomorrow, can't wait to be on the road again, really traveling. I don't plan to stay long in Cambodia, maybe a week or so, but if I like it... My visa for Vietnam starts the 21st of Februari, but I can extend that visa, so you never know how much time I will spent in Cambodia. Especially the Ankor Wat and the Killing Fields will be impressive, both in a different way.

I'm not sure I'll be able to be online a lot, but I'll will if I can. Till then,

Linda
posted by Linda Meijer at 3:06 PM
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