Battambang I - Cambodia

The journey from Phnom Penh to Battambang was taken using the usual route: by bus. It took us 6 hours on Phnom Penh Sorya to reach Battambang which was situated north (literally) in the map. We bought the ticket upon reaching Phnom Penh and arranged out pick up from the hostel to the bus station with the hostel on that day itself.

I slipped in and out of sleep and caught glimpses of the towns which we passed by every time I opened my eyes. The highway was a smooth journey and there wasn't much manholes or anything, I guess I just remember a time when the driver was trying to avoid...something. I don't quite remember much but I thought it was a vehicle rather than a cow.

The small towns which we passed by resembles those which we once learned in geography. I don't know if it was termed 'Petempatan berjajar'? It's something where you find houses by the roadside. I didn't get to see beyond them but it gave me the impression that these houses are located near the road in a linear formation/setting.

It was said that Battambang is the second largest city after Phnom Penh but it doesn't seem to me like a large city at all. It exudes an aura of tranquility and the people seems more relaxed at this part of Cambodia. I supposed the area is too vast and unfocused to be called a city. I had this impression that Battambang resembles Seremban of the '90s, way before they build Jusco and even Terminal 1. It is just Seremban and the only big mall during that era was The Store. They do not even have that many fast food chain stores as of now. LOL..those were the days in Seremban.

There isn't many guesthouses around the area where we wanted to stay for the night and most people highly recommended Chhya Hostel. It was a good one, basic and (again) CLEAN.

Not as good as Me Mate (it has a classic bathroom and faulty air-conditioner) but given the circumstances, I think this is the best in Battambang -- most importantly, it is clean (the most important criteria for me)

We didn't make prior reservation because there was no link to that guesthouse at all and we thought, when the worst comes (no rooms available), we will just opt for Royal Hotel (the next most recommended). We did not know where the guesthouse is located but we got adventurous and thought, it shouldn't be too difficult to be located based on the map we have (it was the one provided by Lonely Planet). Communication was proven to be a bit difficult when it comes to places which is not too popular among tourists who frequented there. The tuk tuk drivers may not be able to make out what you were trying to say. So, you will have to speak slowly, word by word to them.

Anyways, it turned out that the moment our bus reached Battambang's bus station, we saw a tuk tuk driver holding a cardboard that says 'Chhya Hostel'! Actually, there was a LOT of drivers at the station, everyone hoping to make a living by recommending a guesthouse for the visiting tourists (not many on the bus at that moment) and so happened, this driver appeared right next to our window:)

See, it isn't difficult; moreover, he speaks good English. We then hired him for both the evening and the next day. He charged at $16 for the mileage to Wat Banan, Phnom Sampeou Killing Caves, Old and New Wat Ek Phnom as well as the Bamboo Train area. We really enjoyed the trip with him as he did a little explaining here and there as best he could.


Upon arrival at the hotel, we reserved our seats on the boat for the next day to Siem Reap. It was supposed to be recommended especially if you want to catch a view of the Floating Market through the river route. Yes, as long as you don't go there during the dry season -- I went there in May...so I guess that is self-explained. I understand from blogs and forum that dry season is a tough one if you want to go to Siem Reap by boat but I did not know it was THIS TOUGH. Go for the boat ONLY if it's a wet season:
1. The water level was knee length and that's the best the lake can give us.
2. Due to the low water level, the propeller got stuck in the mud and it took all the strong and kind hands on the boat to help -- namely two cute homosexual partners and some very sporting foreigners in which there was a girl of Swedish origin who sings beautifully!


Now, from the photo, you can imagine how low the water level is.
It was quite a wait because we sat from morning 11am until 8pm and only then, we managed to get moving and bit by bit, we moved towards shore. That was the longest wait ever. A British nationale (or so he sounds) was being very impatient and tried calling for help but I can assure you that there is no use calling anybody. The tourist police officers are of total no use and it's not like they can understand your language.

Everyone started to get worried when it gets dark...with exception to the homosexual couple, gecko and I. For some unknown odd reasons, I wasn't really worried about our safety. In fact, if there are anything to be worried about, it would be my bladder. I tried not to drink water -- till as far as I can hold it because being the person who is so particular about washroom hygiene (even in a remote location such as this), I do not want to do anything in the makeshift washroom in the dark. The washroom has got a paint bucket replacing the toilet bowl and the human waste was recycled by pouring them into the water -- just like the primitive days.

The homosexual couples don't seem to mind I supposed, since they used the river water to wash their apples. They have bought quite a few variety of fruits including pineapples and banana. So, it was like a mini picnic on board when things get boring; they offer fruits as well as cashew nuts. Seriously, I love them -- they are such a lovely couple!

Next: Battambang II - What's there?