A run to the border

Its 300km to the first big town in Cambodia so not really a single day run. The plan was to head to Kon Tum. Stay there and then it’s a short run to the border

I was pleased to not be rushing as it was very hot, luckily there was a waterfall that was great to just stand under and cool off.

Time to soak my clothing in order to stave off the heat

I had time to take exciting detours and play on the trails.

My first stop for refreshment was at a roadside stall. The couple who run it gave me tea, it’s given everywhere, then some local peanut brittle and sweets she had got in Hoa An. They were fascinated by my photographs.

My first stop and these two, recently married, were so lovely.

The clattering of loose planks was unnerving

Another stop and this guy who knew a lot about Chelsea FC but nothing else. We did have a laugh

And so to Kon Tum. A fairly big town where I had a lovely eggs and noodle dish, eaten with chop sticks. I located a really nice homestay just out of town.

The next morning it was just 60km to the Cambodian border. I went back to the coffee shop for breakfast and hit the road. Gone were the twisty lanes, just a functional road to get you there. There were a few small towns for those all important cool down drinks and break from the ride.

And then the border popped up. Firstly a barrier. I stopped, helmet off documents in hand. He looked and let me through. Next a bigger building, park up helmet off, documents in hand. I’m told to unpack the bike and take everything inside. Once in the rather plush building there is an airport style luggage scanner. I go through the body scanner, all good. On to passport control, I’ve been stamped out of Vietnam. Reload the bike and off to the Cambodian side. Firstly it’s very much, a cheaper build. Wooden shacks. The first is registration. I scan the QR code and with help from immigration officer, who guides me to a table and chairs with a, very welcome, fan overhead. We fill in the registration on my phone and I’m issued a customs ticket. He asks for 100VND. I’m not sure that’s a legal charge but it’s £3 for a lot of help. Moving on to the next window I wait as they fill in my visa and stamp my passport.

Taking up two pages the visa and stamps.

“Welcome to Cambodia sir, that will be $35 for the visa”. I gulp I don’t have any US Dollars or Cambodian Reil, I only have Vietnamese Dong, and not enough of them. There’s no cashpoint, no bank and I’m now concerned they will send me back. After some head scratching I am allowed into Cambodia but my passport remains at the border. I have been granted permission to go 20km to the nearest bank.