Very humid morning, with mosquitoes at breakfast – a reminder to start anti-malaria tablets in readiness for Laos. We had left our final items in hotel room whilst we were eating, but in our absence GirlRob's backpack had been emptied, kangaroo mascot removed – retrieval was a painful item by item process (we tired of the game first). Left in darker mood than our arrival. Cheered up when a man at fruit stall asked "What's in back? You got kangaroos in there??" Haha. Open, unfenced land at extremities of Wats looked inviting for camping but Guy and Cheryl were told "snakes at night" (meaning bad people, unsafe).
The road north to small border crossing after Anlong Veng was in better condition than most other roads in Cambodia. Lots of timber cutting/ hauling. At border town, almost missed inconspicuous sign leading to Pol Pot’s cremation site.
Crossed back into Thailand at small border post at Choem (details will be posted elsewhere!) Over two hours they learnt on us how to export-import vehicles! It’s only a drive through the north of the country this time, leapfrogging into Laos tomorrow. T’was nice though to be back to LHD and thankfully more conservative drivers (well, relatively speaking). Drove through two police blocks (boy soldiers with semi-automatic rifles) more interested in seeing truck than papers; BoyRob took his life in his hands when he squirted the leader with the outdoor shower! Fortunately (almost) everyone laughed....
Ah, back in Thailand - better roads, gardens - and smoke! Scarecrows/ crude hangers out front of places as pass through Lalom all wearing red shirts (supporting political faction).
Turned towards Ubon Ratchhathani, past Huai Ta Mai Reservoir and its fishing boats, islands and navigational bamboo poles in water. Rich volcanic soils, recent harvest of cassava and new plantings. Much more developed agricultural industry compared to more subsistence Cambodia - tractors, harvesters, tilling machinery etc. heaps more cars than motor. Chose campsite on a flat overlooking rice paddies with a border of gum trees; broke off branch to take smell with us...
what was the story with the police and the shower squirting??
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