Route Info – Cambodia Part 2 – The drift along the wind

This post is part of the Route-Info series continuoation from :

1. Route Info – Road Trip Southern Thailand from Hat Yai to Arayanprathet 
2. Route Info – Road Trip Cambodia 
3. Route Info – Thailand Part 2 Going from Central to Northern Thailand 
4. Route Info – Northern Laos
5. Route Info - Thailand Part 3 Exploring Isaan

Riding Route in Cambodia Part 2 

From Thailand last stop at Chong Chom, I enter into Cambodia to Siam Reap and from there on I practically just chilled most of my time in Cambodia. A small country that is not much developed for tourism makes it hard to explore beyond the banana pancake route. Even the locals rarely go around it seams.

Since I had did most of the exploring the last time ... this slow journey back was mainly to burn time ... relax and drift along with the wind.

(Entry From Thailand) Chong Chom -> O’Smach -> Siam Reap -> Phnom Penh -> Naek Leong -> Krong Kracheh -> Phnom Penh -> Battambang -> Pailin -> Chantaburi (Exit into Thailand)

Things of Interest along the route :

Naek Leong Bridge & Little Town

I heard there was a grand bridge crossing the Mekong river ... in fact most of the grand bridge crossing the Mekong river was usuallly a border crossing bridge which motorbike are banned from going over. So this was one of the few beautiful bridge crossing the Mekong River. A stop at the peak of the bridge gives a wonderful view of serene Cambodia countryside town

The Outer Area of Phnom Penh

Naturally after going to Phnom Penh so many times ... it was time to use Bluey to go beyond the city tuk tuk fringe ... needless today it was quite interesting such as day trip to the Island in the center of Mekong River Koh Dach, or the Oudong Temple on top Traop Mountain

Krong Kracheh (Kratie & the Mekong Dolphins)

The freshwater dolphin of Mekong River .... it was a nice town as well for wasting time and watching the sun set. Also a discovery of a dirt bike trail requiring a wooden boat crossing with Bluey across the Mekong river was just a nice mini adventure 

Pailin – the Gemstone and Casino town

This unknown Gem of Pailin ... so quiet ... peaceful and yet filled with numerous casino frequented only by the regulars from across the border that almost everyone in the casino knows each other.

Traveled On : Mar 2019
#overlandingcambodia #motorbikingcambodia #routeinfo #cambodia #motorpackerasia #blurtravels

Route Info – Thailand Part 3 – Exploring Isaan

This post is part of the Route-Info series continuoation from :

1. Route Info – Road Trip Southern Thailand from Hat Yai to Arayanprathet 
2. Route Info – Road Trip Cambodia 
3. Route Info – Thailand Part 2 Going from Central to Northern Thailand 
4. Route Info – Northern Laos

From Laos last stop at Vientiane, I enter into Thailand, Nong Khai and from there on this is the riding route I took going south through the north eastern parts of Thailand or better known as Isaan before exiting at Chong Chom and re-entering Cambodia for a second time.

(Entry From Laos) Vientiane -> Nong Khai -> Chiang Khan -> Loei -> Udon Thani -> Sakon Nakhon -> Nakhon Phanom -> Mukdahan -> Roi Et - > Kalasin -> Khon Kean -> Maha Sarakham -> Buriram -> Surin -> Ubon Ratchathani -> Two – Coloured River -> Amnat Charoen -> Yashothon -> Phimai -> Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) -> Surin -> Chong Chom (Exit into O’Smach Cambodia) 

Motorbiking Route in Isaan

Things of Interest along the route :

Nong Khai, Chiang Khan Loei

The chill part and beautiful scenery all the way. Going along the Mekong river, the scenery is beautiful and there are also lots of unique local tourist spot like bamboo floating house along lakes, antique wooden houses on stilts along the Mekong river and slightly mountainous terrain which is rare for Isaan once I finally rode around

Udon Thani, Roi Et, Kalasin, Khon Kean

The cities and dinosaur I would say. All very near each other and also very modern city (Except Kalasin) and all accessible to the great wonders of the dinosaurs of Isaan.

Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan

The gateway to southeren Laos. Surprisingly I found more historical and cultural event along this stretch of the Mekong river which I did not expected.

Buriram, Surin, Ubon Ratchatani, Phimai, Korat

This historical part of Isaan with many ancient temples, museum, monuments and yet within all that a bustling city.

Traveled On : Feb 2019
#overlandingisaan #motorbikingisaan #routeinfo #isaan #northeastern thailand #motorpackerasia #blurtravels

Border Crossing at Chong Chom (Thailand) to O’Smach (Cambodia) on a Motorbike

The day started with an easy ride around 70km from Surin to the border Chong Chom which was a really small international border. The Immigration counter was barely a booth and I asked around at the Thai side like an idiot naturally on how to exit with Bluey.

Immigration exit done and Custom Declaration handed back to Thailand, the friendly officer lifted the barrier allowing me out of Thailand and pointed to the right small little shack barely 20m away which was the Cambodian Immigration. 

Thailand Immigration & Customs at Chong Chom

I was really focus this time so no picture was taken unfortunately.

Cambodia immigration was straightforward and I filled up the arrival card then got stamped in for 100 baht processing fee. I did not ask anything regarding Bluey and just pick up bluey and ride on.

Down the hill about 300m pass immigration and I see a smaller shack with small little words on the window that said customs & excise. Being stupid, I slowed down and parked my bike right next to booth.

There was no one crossing this border surprisingly. I crossed at 1130 am but the whole time I saw less than 5 people crossing over.

The customs officer opened the booth window and I passed him my passport and Bluey’s Malaysian Vehicle Ownership Papers. Immediately he called someone and asked if a Malaysian bike can be allowed into Cambodia.

Thinking fast or rather stupidly again, I passed him a copy of the Thailand temporary import permit form and then also pass him a copy of my previous import papers via Poipet.

I could see the special Custom Permit (Temporary) booklet at the table by his hand and it was definitely something different and new. How time slowed down so much for me waiting for some sort of reply for the officer while he conversed with a higher ranking officer on the phone.

Wait he says ...

A moment later another officer turn up which I presume was the one speaking on the other end of the phone. He looked at Bluey papers and without any questions started writing up the Custom Permit (Temporary). I held my breath, I dare not celebrate until I had the papers and were riding well far far away from the Border.

Where are you going?

Samroang, Siam Reap, Phnom Penh, Pailin .... I rambled away

You exit to Thailand ?

Yes, from Pailin to Thailand. Its it ok ?

A silent nod was the reply

The officer finished writing up the Customs Permit (Temporary) and looked again at my papers and frown. He looked more closely to the copy of import papers I obtained from Poipet on my previous entry which was clearly and totally different from what he was preparing to issue me.

Why you don’t have papers for me to issue you this?

He dangled the copy of import papers from Poipet.

Gulp!

Sometimes I wonder, even when preparing to lie, and the practice of everything but when it comes down to something as important as border crossings, I somehow always end up telling the truth. I would skirt around, omit certain things innocently, but still a variant of the truth. I somehow feels like if I were caught on an outright lie, that would be the end.

I got asked last year when I was in Phnom Penh for papers to enter Cambodia again this year but the Ministry of Tourism says maybe by this time the system will be changed and I don't need to go to Phnom Penh.

A hard glance on the papers again and the officer finally made the seal stamp of the Customs Permit (Temporary) and handed me back all my documents plus a very very precious Customs Permit (Temporary).

You can go.

Thank you ..... 

Temporary Import Permit for Bluey 

I was genuinely surprised. I thought for sure I needed to pay a little bit of money as a fee at least but never did the officer mention anything of that sort. This permit was free compared to the one previously at Poipet, I needed to pay USD12.5 but somehow the customs always round up the figure to USD 15 and never return change.

I rode off as fast as I could still not celebrating yet watching out for road blocks or police checks which normally happens near borders. You think you have escaped but then DANG. No road blocks and I reached the small village of Samroang barely after 1pm. I gave it a moment thought and decided I will put more distance between the border and me and rode straight to Siam Reap.

Upon closer inspection of the Customs Permit (Temporary), I now understood how lucky I was really in even obtaining this piece of paper. The address and nationality was stated THAILAND and this was not written but readily printed on the permit. If I understand correctly, this permit is issued only to Thai nationals with Thai vehicles.

Anyhow, since I have the permit anyway, I have mentally convince myself that this permit is legit. If stopped and asked by any police regarding the wrong type of permit being issued, I would just claim ignorance and that I was issued the permit so I thought ...... HEY I GOT PERMIT SO I AM NOT IN THE WRONG!!!

Next challenge will be leaving Cambodia .... 

Traveled on : Mar 2019

Exploring Phimai & Korat

Nahkon Ratchasima or Korat was the largest city in Isaan, or so that is what I was told but more than that was Phimai, a small town nearby that has many historical and cultural value. From Yasothon, it made sense to go to Phimai first then Korat. Initial plan was to save these both places to be visited after I went another round trip into Cambodia but since I now had to burn time, zig zagging around Isaan and just taking my own time to visit places slowly was the way to go.

Phimai had a few things carefully preserved. For one the Phimai historical park is maintained in a very good manor. Supposedly the miniature version of Angkor Wat, it is believed that Phimai was the place where they experimented on the architecture of Angkor Wat before it was actually built. Like a test scale model. 

Phimai Historical Park

Phimai Historical Park

Phimai Historical Park

The more intricate and well preserved historical artifacts however would need to be seen in the Phimai National Museum round back of the historical park. I nearly gave it a pass, but was glad I spend the money to enter in the end. These intricate carvings would have never survive the environment if not preserved

Phimai National Museum

Phimai National Museum

To be honest, at Phimai, I was more interested in Sai Ngam, the largest Banyan Tree in Thailand. To South East Asian, the banyan tree is a holy tree to be respected. In which religion I am unsure but when seen, it always have an aura tied to the stories of little mischievous people spirits and the lore varies around South East Asia. I end up going back to Sai Ngam park every day for a walk but respectfully leave by sundown. 

Sai Ngam Park - Thailand

Korat was next and as expected a large busy city. Nothing much to do here but wander around, visit the shopping center, see some movies and enjoy the perks of modern comforts. One good thing about big cities is that you can always spot the special food stalls that stands out from the rest. The extra busy hands, the longer queue, the more bustling food stalls. 

Downtown of Nahkon Ratchasima

Korat - Foodstall

Korat - Raw Fish Salad

Traveled on: Mar 2019