Sihanoukville 1

We had originally planned a night in Ko Kong, the border town inside Cambodia. We were lied to and cheated by nearly everyone we met. Ko Kong is about 10 K from the border. The cab ride into town was outragous. The driver told us there was no bank in town and took us to a money changing friend who (after Mike signed his travelers check) quoted and an awful exchange rate. I encouraged Mike to discontinue the transaction and keep the signed check for a future exchange. As the driver was trying to get us to hire him to take us to Sihanoukville, he lied about the bus. He said there was no afternoon bus, and the next mornings bus was full.
We dumped him and started walking to find a room. A tuk tuk driver stopped. He told us there WAS a bank and would take us there. The bank would not change Am Ex checks in English pounds. Our new driver told us there indeed was an afternoon bus to S'ville. He took us to the ticketing agent. Mike had left his hat at the bank. He hauled Mike back to retrieve his hat. Our original deal was $1 for the shuttleing. We gave him $3. He was very happy. After a quick lunch and a cold beer we were on our way. We got to S'ville after dark and got nice rooms with 'good' cable TV, hot water, and a swimming pool for $15.
This woman is drawing water from her back yard well.