Today has been nothing short of an adventure (of sorts). It all began when I met two Israelis also on their way to Laos and decided to travel with them. Looking back, I'm still not sure if it was a good or bad idea.
Bad idea. One of them was simply unbearable: a big brutish bully; spoilt, rude and foul-tempered. Everything had to be done his way and if he couldn't get it, he'd throw a violent tantrum, hurl obscene insults in English and Hebrew as well as physically threaten anyone involved.
Traveling with him was an unpleasant experience but to be associated with a person such as himself made me feel absolutely terrible. Doesn't he know that getting angry won't get him anywhere in this part of the world? Written in retrospect: he developed malaria overnight at Stung Treng. Karma's a bitch, but for once, I'm not complaining.
Good idea. The other guy, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. Certainly more brains than brawn; he was soft-spoken and mild-mannered with a calm and rational mind. Talking with him was a pleasure as he was also quite well-travelled and had strong opinions on the places he had visited so far.
***
Upon arriving at Kampong Cham, we tried to get to Stung Treng on the very same day. Asking around, we were told that it was impossible as the last bus had just left. Desperate not to stay at Kampong Cham any longer, we bargained hard with a taxi driver to drive us all the way to Stung Treng via Kratie for US$80. Yes, I shared a taxi with four other passengers - the driver found two other local passengers to cut down the cost. In the end, we had two sitting in the front passenger seat with us three at the back. This trip to Kratie lasted four hours.
At Kratie, we had to change taxis: this time with a total of seven passengers. Three in front, four at the back. This was one of the longest two hours in my entire life.
***
Passing through the Cambodian countryside is weird: the further we drove away from towns, the more wild and untamed the countryside became. Cultivated fields give way to wild grass. Houses become sparse and cars morph into buffalo-driven carts. Every now and then, village people can be seen herding their cows across the road. Like being home in a dream - surreal.
Bad idea. One of them was simply unbearable: a big brutish bully; spoilt, rude and foul-tempered. Everything had to be done his way and if he couldn't get it, he'd throw a violent tantrum, hurl obscene insults in English and Hebrew as well as physically threaten anyone involved.
Traveling with him was an unpleasant experience but to be associated with a person such as himself made me feel absolutely terrible. Doesn't he know that getting angry won't get him anywhere in this part of the world? Written in retrospect: he developed malaria overnight at Stung Treng. Karma's a bitch, but for once, I'm not complaining.
Good idea. The other guy, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. Certainly more brains than brawn; he was soft-spoken and mild-mannered with a calm and rational mind. Talking with him was a pleasure as he was also quite well-travelled and had strong opinions on the places he had visited so far.
***
Kratie
Upon arriving at Kampong Cham, we tried to get to Stung Treng on the very same day. Asking around, we were told that it was impossible as the last bus had just left. Desperate not to stay at Kampong Cham any longer, we bargained hard with a taxi driver to drive us all the way to Stung Treng via Kratie for US$80. Yes, I shared a taxi with four other passengers - the driver found two other local passengers to cut down the cost. In the end, we had two sitting in the front passenger seat with us three at the back. This trip to Kratie lasted four hours.
At Kratie, we had to change taxis: this time with a total of seven passengers. Three in front, four at the back. This was one of the longest two hours in my entire life.
***
Passing through the Cambodian countryside is weird: the further we drove away from towns, the more wild and untamed the countryside became. Cultivated fields give way to wild grass. Houses become sparse and cars morph into buffalo-driven carts. Every now and then, village people can be seen herding their cows across the road. Like being home in a dream - surreal.
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