We checked out at about 7.30 with a bill of USD76 for two nights, just in time for breakfast and plenty of time to relax before we were picked up for our bus ride back to Phnom Penh. We made the mistake of allowing the hotel to just buy our ticket without insisting on buying the Mekong Express ticket.
We got the tickets to Paramount Angkor Express. We were first picked up at our hotel and dropped off in the middle of town. After waiting for about 10 minutes, the same 8 passengers were asked to board the same minivan and then we were driven to the bus station. Once on the bus, we had pittance of air conditioning.
The bus is really interesting. It has an area for motorcycle transportation at the bottom deck and passengers sit on top. Despite having an express in its name, it slowed at virtually every town for passengers to hop on. There were so many passengers that hopped on right before Kampung Thom that they had to stand or sit on the floor the entire way to Phnom Penh.
We stopped somewhere along Kampung Cham for lunch and we had our USD2 lunch consisting of a huge plate of rice and a generous helping of pork fried with ginger. Shoving everything down at light speed we then boarded the bus which took us all the way to Phnom Penh on the most bumpy ride ever.
Once we entered Phnom Penh, we were driven around to somewhere really far before we stopped at the bus station. Since we didn’t know where we were, we already intended to take the Tuk Tuk, but I refused to be taken for a ride where the fare was concerned. I was immediately told the hotel was a far distance away and it would cost us USD5 to get there. I stated I will only pay USD3 and walked away. The Tuk Tuk driver came running after us saying he will take three dollars. Maosie said next time he can leave all the negotiation to me.
Getting back to the hotel, apparently the whole block was out of electricity. The same happened last night in Siem Reap too. They had to run on backup generator. I guess today wasn’t going to be a cool day for us, but we didn’t mind it seeing we were already sweating like bucketfuls of sweat. However, going up, we realized our air cond worked! Awesome stuff.
Less than half an hour later, we rolled away and wanted to go to Jake’s Well Cafe, and so unfortunately the whole restaurant was going for sale! So no western food over at Street 111 for us. So we kept walking until we found Daughters of Cambodia, a place where they rescue sex workers being trafficked in Phnom Penh and give them new skill sets to turn over a new leaf. W came at about 5.30 and the cafe, which is named Sugar and Spice closes at 6. So the kit hen wasn’t opened but the cakes were going at half price.
I must say though, mango, banana and pear makes an awesome smoothie. Especially here. It is smooth, not icy or crackly and wonderfully tasteful. Their passion fruit, ginger and mango muffin was fluffy and yummy. Such a nice tea time set. Now to find my favourite massage place!
