I entered Cambodia this time at O Smach. Leaving Thailand was a snap, I was the only one. Same on the Cambodian side, I walked up and filled out the visa app., the man asked for 1300 (?) baht, I gave him $30 and said I have no baht. No problem. No stamping fee either. I stayed one night at the O Smach Resort (casino). There are 2 casinos, the Royal Hill does not have my game (blackjack). The room was 1,000 baht (800 for Thais and Kmers), and included western breakfast. The room was clean and very modern except for the old TV. There is a coffee shop inside with wifi. For dinner there is a Thai buffet for 180 baht. The next morning I talked to the taxi guys outside and arranged a ride to Sra Em. I had to pay 2500 baht because there is no bus and it's a seller's market.
We stopped in Anlong Veng and I used the Acleda Bank ATM, no charge and $250 limit. Inside, the friendly ladies broke my $100's to $10's.
In Sra Em I stopped at the Sok San GH, but I didn't like the window being in the hallway, and the bathroom didn't look too good. THe desk man was nice enough to take me down toward the round-a-bout to the Piseth Pich GH. Rooms were $15 with A/C on the ground floor and $10 upstairs. They had plenty of hot water (after it runs a few minutes) and LCD TV with one movie channel. The free wifi was very fast, I downloaded 2 TV shows and used my flash drive to watch them on the TV. There is no food there but the round-a-bout is about 50 meter towards Preah Vihear. They have a clothesline out back so I washed socks and underwear with shampoo in the sink and hung them up, they were dry by 6 PM.
The man from Sok San offered to take me to Preah Vihear the next day at 7:30 for $15, so I said yes. Then he dropped me at a no-name place where I had some good LOK LAK.
Next morning it was chilly and windy, I only had a long sleeve T over my shirt, and a KRAMA. I used it to tie my hat on. The ride was cold but pleasant. Bring a jacket. At the ticket office ($10) they make you switch to their experienced moto and truck drivers. Trucks are $25 for 6 people. Motos are $5 round trip, they man waits for you up top. There are food and drink up top too.
I knew the road was steep, but I was not prepared for this! Near the top I had both hands locked on the back seat rail, and I was actually sitting on my forearms, we were both leaning forward on the handlebars. Up top it was pretty empty except fr unarmed soldiers and workers, and a few kids yelling 'hello' (I never get tired of that). I spent 2 hours, then the groups started arriving. It's fantastic views but not many carvings, I would recommend Banteay Chhmar for solitude and good carvings.
The ride to the top was harrowing, but going down was very scary. I prayed the brakes help up, as we went almost straight down. My arms got sore holding myself from crushing the driver. We made it ok. The ride back was uneventful. At the round-a-bout I got a taxi ride to Siem Reap, front seat for $25. I picked up my other backpack at the hotel, they were nice to keep it there.
Thanks for the update. How was the road between Osmach and Anlong Veng? and how long did that distance take? I have not gone that stretch so any info is much appreciated.
I agree with you on Banteay Chmar.
The road was fine, I think it took about 90 minutes in the Camry, but I wasn't paying attention. Taxis are the way to go!
Thanks Fred. I asked for a simple reason. Preah Vehar can also be reached from Thailand by way of the Anlong Veng crossing. Problem is the less than perfect public transport on the Thai side as compared with Osmach/Surin. Your experience shows that people will limited time can get good service using your routing and info. People with more time but less money on their hand might opt for the Anlong Veng crossing and then use a van, bus or shared ride.
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