07:30 Bangkok.  We just gave our tickets to a one-armed man on Khao San Road,
and settled which mini-van to take.  It's raining hard.

08:00.  We're finally rolling. 6 farang backpackers, Sue, and myself making ourselves
comfortable for the long ride ahead. Feeling sleepy but good.

08:05-08:20.  Suspiciously stopped twice for 'gas'.  I think something is wrong with our rear tire.
The driver doesn't speak much English. The rain is easing up.

08:30.  Just picked up our last passenger- an Indonesian lady in her mid-forties looking to gamble in Poipet.
When asked where she wanted to go she responded emphatically, "Poipet holiday".

08:45 Out of the city proper.  It's still raining.

11:50. Sue reminds me that today is our anniversary.
            I say, "I know."
            "Tell me quick... how many months?", she says disbelievingly.
            "Four."
            "You're lucky."
            Happy, we think back on Banaue.

12:30 Near the Poipet border. We stop for lunch, and wait for some of our fellow passengers
to obtain visas to enter Cambodia.  We bought ours several days ago from an overpriced
travel agency in Thailand.

13:45. On the road to the border.  Full from fried rice and veggies.  I'm feeling strong and rested.
It hasn't stopped raining since we left.

14:30 Poipet border crossing.  Line-ups. Forms. Rain.  On the Cambodian side of the border,
there are children begging for Thai Baht.

15:15. After passing customs, we were told that all buses to Siem Reap are full.  We are offered
a faster alternative.  Our guide tells us, "Pick-up, pick-up... 3 hours.  I promise."  He is grinning.

15:20. We are in the pick-up truck.  There are a total of 13 adults on the truck.  A light load by
Cambodian standards, who have manged at least twice as many.  I sit in the back with the boys.
It is raining steadily.  I put on the 25 baht  (0.55 USD) rain coat, that I bought in the Thai 7-11 this morning.

15:40.  The downpour has increased.  Driver makes a pit stop to pick up rain gear for the other boys in the back.
Our luggage is covered with tarp and roped down.

16:45 Sisophon City.  After an hour of pot-holed pavement, we make a dinner stop.  We are a good hour
ahead of the other tourist buses that were too full to take us at Poipet.

17:30. We're back on the road.  I am full from Cambodian fried rice.  It's still raining, but I think it's easing up.

18:20 Phnom Liep.  How could I have complained about paved roads?  I'd prefer pot-holed pavement to
the red mud that we've been sloshing through this last hour.  We've just been forced to stop at Phnom Liep,
a small town of beautiful rice fields and landmine signs. We are not straying far from the truck.  The main bridge
is down.  I put on mosquito spray and watch the men, waist high in mud, lay new planks on the bridge.
The rain has stopped.  My body is sore from the bumpy ride, but I am happy.

18:45. On the road again.  We just picked up an extra passenger- an Aussie girl currently working in Thailand.
Travelling the same road from Poipet alone, she was robbed af everything save her passport.

20:40 Siem Reap.  Our long ride has finally ended.  We've arrived safely at Paradise Guest House.

20:50.  I check us in, trying not to track too much mud on their clean floors.

21:30.  Showered and exhausted.  Must sleep.
 

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