The two days in Phnom Penh went by fast but were really relaxing sitting around with the other guests eating and watching movies in the lobbyish room. I did go out to the market to pick up a few things, mainly a few pairs of shorts to change my very small wardrobe up a bit lol. I was glad to have stayed here a bit though, I haven't given myself enough time to just be lazy and go with the flow.....

    So after two days resting in Phnom Penh, I decided to on a really spontaneous move to go to Bangkok for a few days and then head to Malaysia to mix things up for a bit. I'm hoping the vastly different culture in Malaysia will be very refreshing and boost my interest in the place. So off I was on my long distance ride to Bangkok. The trip started off easy enough getting a ride to the bus with 2 others from the guesthouse going just over the border but on the same bus. The ticket counter at the small bus station was filled with people who looked at everyones tickets like they were bricks, having no clue what to make of them for some reason. But eventually we got on and took our seats for the long ride.

    The bus went straight west and passed some really great countryside although I did pass out for much of it. We made one pit stop to eat about 3 hours in which was perfect timing and gave me time to stretch and leave my seat. Picked up some pastries that were there and some fruit before getting back on and waiting to go. The next 3 hours to the border went by slowly as I was awake most of it, passing by some nature reserves where forest treks take place in places they say tigers still roam. I'll leave it for the next guy, wild tigers aren't the same as ones said to be tamed or from a zoo. So about 6 hours in we reach the Thai border and we all get off the bus and walk to the checkpoint to get stamped out of Cambodia. Unlike leaving Laos, I didn't have to pay to leave which was nice lol. I then walked into no mans land, the 2 minute walk before getting to the Thai border checkpoint. I receive my arrival card and fill it out before getting in the line to be stamped into Thailand. Its so great getting in a simple line with no visa and still knowing that your going to get in. If only people could enter the states that way.... When I was up, I handed the passport to the immigration personnel and a minute later return a smile as I get it back stamped in for 2 weeks since I had no visa. Simple.

    Once inside, I see my backpack sitting on the side of the road near some shops with everyone elses. Turns out the bus can't cross the border and we get into minivans from here breaking up into groups depending on destination. Having my ticket already I get right into a bangkok bound one and wait about 15 minutes for it to fill up before leaving. The bags kinda threw me a little since I though it was the bus all the way, plus I had asked if we needed to bring the bags and was told no only to have someone looking for a tip for carrying my bag after crossing. Oh well, with the van getting going I knew it was only a matter of time until Bangkok. A big matter of time though, as the van had to make a stop to pick someone up, change drivers etc. Although he had the van acting like a daytona 500 racer, we still didn't get to Bangkok until 8pm, 12 hours total. Then we hit dead stopped traffic for another hour where I got to listen to thai radio's english channel. Some really funny stuff was said on there, like how the government has a special police force out for valentines day coming up making sure teens don't do naughty things in public. Conservative place on the surface, so looks like anything more than pecks is going to get police attention...

    So around 9pm I emerge from the van near Khao san Rd., and walk to my usual place here. Getting there however without any Thai baht leaves me looking stupid, and I leave to go change money but everything bank wise is closed. Luckily there was one money changer near all the bars and hippies smoking it up open until 10pm and I just made it. Not sure what would have happened if I didn't get the money changed, but sitting in a bar until sunrise when I could was probably the likely event. So I went back to the guesthouse this time with something to pay him with and threw my bags down before going across the road to a Pizza Hut newly put in, and ordered my self a treat to watch a movie before bed. I really indulged and it felt so good.... Laying down watching Blades Of Glory with Hawaiian pizza dripping everywhere sipping soda and eating cheezy bread on the side, feels like being back home. Not sure what the morning holds, but probably the big 7 storey mall to pick up a new backpack since my bags starting to go. Gotta say all the damage they take out here I'm impressed it lasted 3 months. Luckily for me the huge top loader backpacks that sell for $300+ in the states can be had here for $20 :-P.  Well have to see in the morning....

    Feels so bare to have a pictureless post this long, naked even. But night buses and borders don't leave much to photo, or at least not that you don't risk getting arrested for taking :-)