Road Trip Bangkok

July 10

Siem Reap has been good to us. Good food, world famous sights - plenty to keep us busy. Time though to move on to Thailand.

Loaded down with luggage heading for the bus station. We had looked at flying, but the cost difference was too great - so bus it is. Evert isn't a fan of early mornings, but we were all were ready for the 7:45 departure.

The Giant Ibis bus company was the one we had taken from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. They claimed to make the border crossing into Thailand easy, that, and they did not blare Asian music or wait for the bus to fill up before leaving, or require changing and waiting for a new bus at the border.
It left on time, we had lots of leg room, snacks, iced lattes and AC. Perfect!

A few pit stops along the way. Gotta love the Asian toilet.

Poipet, Cambodia was the crossing point. The bus steward took all passports and had them stamped for exit on this side. We needed to walk across to Thailand and go through immigration.

Heading into Thailand. The customs officers were slow and had only 2 counters open. The line kept snaking further down the reception room and finally two more wickets were opened.

So many children begging at this crossing. More than we have seen anywhere else in our travels.

Back on the bus it was a total of 9 nine hours since we left Siem Reap until we arrived in Bangkok. 

The bus depot was on the end of Khau San road. Not a good job on my part of choosing a hostel miles from here. Two taxis haggled for and we were off. Ans and Evert did not have far to go. 

The My Thai Hostel, run by two sisters was spotless, roomy and more than expected. We told the boys a hostel was like camping, only inside on a bed. The boys had a room downstairs and Jack, Nate and I were 2 floors above. After getting checked in everyone hungry. We scoured the neighborhood for pad thai. We settled on some across the street, but no one was impressed. Much too oily! Will try again tomorrow.

No one wanted toads. Insects such as scorpions are popular - but not by us.