D04, Sep 22, 2011. Where were
we? Ah, so we took the night bus to Siem Reap (SR). My calculation we shall
arrive at SR at 1300 (local time), but unfortunately I was wrong! It turns out
we arrived at 1730. There were some reason why it took us a longer time arrive
in SR, Vietnam – Cambodia open close timing is one of the reason. The border
opens at 0600, while it took only about 3hrs from HCMC to the border, so we
spent another 3hrs outside the gate! Just to make it short, at 06AM one of PIC
from bus company asked us to come down to the border office, we didn’t have to
bring our luggage for check. Since it’s still early morning, so there were not
many people at the border. We got our stamp easily, and at that time we just
realized that there are no Visa in our passport, we only got stamp. We ask to
one of border officer, he said “as per SEP 22, 2011 Indonesian passport holder
no longer need visa to enter Cambodia”. At that time we were like “HURRAAYY”
and after a second we realized that we already gave our money for Visa to the
bus company!
By the time we reached Pnom
Penh for a short transit (changing bus), we asked for our money back to the bus
company (which happens also has an office in Pnom Penh). Unfortunately the
officer can’t give us our money back, and told us to take our money at their
office at HCMC *super crap*! Finally we agreed to it and asked the
officer to write down a statement so it will easier for us to take our money
back. Just make short, so there were we arrived safe and sound at SR, and
thanks y got a free picked up service from guesthouse using tuk tuk (cart which
attached to a bike). Happy Guesthouse, that’s the name. It is located nearby
the bus station (approx 15mins ride) and it was a cozy place with a little
restaurant in front. This is one of a recommended guesthouse in SR, it only
cost us 7USD for a triple room with fan for 1night (exclude breakfast)!