sarahela…
644 reviews
My boat ride Sep 07, 2009
I took the boat from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh in the rainy season, when there are far fewer tourists around. This might be why I had such a different experience from the other two reviewers. The boat company I took was called Soon Lee and Penh Cheth Speedboat.
I really enjoyed the boat ride down to Phnom Penh, although I was getting a little bored by the time we got there. i can see that the boat is not necessarily going to meet western standards - my rucksack came out very damp - but I had a perfectly pleasant trip.
When I took it, everyone had a seat. the cabin was air conditioned, and for the first part of the journey I had a nap. Once we got out of Tonle Sap and into the river itself, we did sit on the roof, but this was because it was nicer and you had a great view of the countryside. Coming down the river, watching the villages go by and waving to the children, seemed like a much more pleasant way to travel than being stuck in a coach would, and is certainly more pleasant thatn I found the long bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh. I enjoyed the chance for some fresh air.
It certainly helped that we made some friends on the way, sitting on the roof, who we stayed with through Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh city. Even without that, though, I think I would have enjoyed the journey. I remember it as one of the highlights of my trip and would do it again.
Part of the Big Trip 2009 England/Vietnam/Cambodia travel blog