We decided that due to the celebrations still going on in Thailand, we couldn't do the tourist thing in Bangkok. So we would move on to Cambodia and do Bangkok when we go back to meet Davey 5 Pies in June :-) We looked at the trains and found one at 5:55, a lovely 4 am start, ouch!! We got to the train station, got our tickets and found the right train, go us!!
After taking our seat for the 6 hour train journey we settled back to enjoy the scenery.
This was a real eye opener. There was a complete mixture of tin shacks & tarpaulin roofs not even 20 metres from massive brand new high rise buildings. I was fascinated watching them going about their business, trying to make a living at 6am. I could not imagine not being able to get out of a comfy bed and take a nice refreshing shower every morning. It really showed how people live over here.
So the train, it was sweaty and smelly. I took one look at the toilet an decided I would not be visiting it! But all in all not a bad 6 hours.
We got to Aranprathet station and before we had even got off the train we were being hounded by tuk tuk drivers offering to take us to the border. We sure know how to pick them... The one we did chose was obviously in on a scam. Took us to a random office, we were quickly ushered in and asked for 1,200 baht each for the visa. This is when I knew we had to get out, they cost a crisp U.S $20! I tried to tell him we had no money, he wanted to take me to the cash machine and Matt stay in the office, no thank you. We picked up our passports and made a swift exit. Saw some western looking people and followed them to the real Visa place. All went smoothly from there. Found a bus at the other end to take us to Siem Reap, they promised to take us all to our separate Guest Houses, which if course they didn't. But a short taxi ride later and we arrived at Happy Guest House!! We were happy, and very tired after our 11hour day. Settled down to a nice cold Angkor, and our first meal of the day at 7pm. Not the best first border crossing we could have hoped for but we made it and we are on country No 2 of 9! Welcome to Cambodia :-)