1) My nightmare begin when the Thai border officer claimed that my bike importation was not documented properly by the Thai customs officers at the Chiang Kong border post and refused to allow my bike to leave Thailand. One dumb arse of a custom officer ain't gonna stop the unstoppable force.. No way!
2) I decided to ride 80km along route 2328 to the much smaller 'Sa Ngam' border checkpoint to try my luck there. This time round the border officials were more helpful but he could not confirm that my bike will be allowed into Cambodia. He requested that I walk over to Cambodia to seek their permission first which I did.
3) The customs officers at the Cambodian side at first did not allow me to bring my bike over as this checkpoint is only a local border crossing usually used the local people only. After much negotiating did she understand my situation:
a) my thai visa expires today
b) i am riding solo on a long trip
After a series of phone calls to her boss, a compromise was reached:
a) I cannot ride further than Siem Reap else she cannot guarantee my well-being.
b) I have to return by the same checkpoint to avoid future misunderstandings if I exit at other checkpoints.
c) I had to pay USD40 as a 'facilitation fee' for 5 days in Siem Reap.
It's kind of a rip off!!! but do I have a choice??? Either I pay and enjoy my trip to Siem Reap or I can choose to roll the dices again at another border checkpoint and face an uncertain fate.
By this time, I was tired and frustrated. No! I do not have a choice so out came USD40 from my wallet reluctantly. =(
After the ordeal, I was 3pm. I quickly went to top up my fuel tank and to buy water to quench my thirst. Siem Reap is just 150km from me and I had to push on.
One consolation for me is that the road condition was much much better (8/10) than what I had anticipated (3/10) and I was able to move at a good pace.
At about 5.30pm, I reached Siem Reap and quickly route my GPS to bring me to pub street as recommended by my brother. Checked into 'New Bequest hotel' for USD13 a night. I'm so tired but relieved.
After resting in the hotel for about 2 hours, I went to pub street area to have a walk around the night market. Very very touristy I thought to myself.
Had dinner at 'Golden temple villa restaurant' I tried Khmer food since I'm in Cambodia. Ordered fish amok, spare ribs and angkor draft beer. The food was really really good and the bill came up to just USD$6.25.
Late night went out to have some supper. Ordered spring rolls and beer but the spring rolls sucked and I did not finish it. Cost: USD$3.25 Siem Reap is dead after 12am except for pub street and the other illicit massage joints. I go back to sleep. Tired day.
Expenses:
Hotel - USD 13
Petrol - USD 8.50
Bike import - USD 40
F&B - USD 10.85
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