Cambodia here I come! A Director's travels (or travails)

Charlie Hopkinson recently took our Best of Cambodia & Vietnam tour.  Here, he describes his journey between the two countries.

"The bus journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh was a surprisingly efficient affair. The Phnom Penh Express did exactly what it said on the tin, it got you to Phnom Penh very quickly. This was one of those South East Asia transport experiences that actually took my by surprise - Imaginative Traveller promises small groups using public transport, rubbing shoulders with the locals and soaking up the atmosphere. Well I was pleasantly surprised to see that the 'atmosphere' here was nicely air conditioned!  The coach also came complete with the ubiquitous non-stop karaoke but none of the chickens and goats I was somewhat more used to. 

Our Cambodian Bus Host, resplendent in his very official liveried uniform took pride in ensuring that we all got across the border, as easily and efficiently as was possible. The ride was as smooth as silk, but a word of advice - sit at the back and don't look at the driving technique; you won't understand it. All you need to know is that it works and that there is no real right of way. It is the art of avoidance rather than a highway code that you adhere to.

Channa our Cambodian guide worked tirelessly to instill local flavours into the journey by buying a plethora of foods and fruits which we munched through for the next 5 hours or so. They were very good actually and I loved the lotus flower fruits we bought on the ferry across the Mekong. However the culinary delights took a dramatic twist once we arrived in Phnom Penh...."

Watch this space