Banlung - Cambodia 14th-16th august 2011

Before i write this blog i would just like everyone to know that i am still pi**ed off about all the events that occurred in this place!

We had done some reading and found Banlung was recommended for a visit. At 6 hours off the main highway on unsealed roads was never going to be the most comfortable of journeys but we thought it would be worth it. The area was supposed to be stunning with waterfalls and a giant clear watered lake.

So we booked into a bit of luxury. A little cabin out of the main town right next to this beautiful lake. It had amazing 10/10 reviews so we were very excited to have a bit of down time for a couple of nights.

So when we arrived after a very uncomfortable 6 hours it was raining, not just raining, absolutely pouring. This is when it all started. We pulled out bags from under the bus to find a 4 inch thick layer of red dust all over our bags (we hadn't put the dust covers on and the roads were unsealed and very dusty). This combined with the rain just made a mass of red sludge which got everywhere!

We waited for our hotel pick up looking forward to a cold beer and a nice relax in our luxury cabin. An hour later turns up 2 young lads on mopeds, in the pouring rain with no helmets. The journey from the bus station was 10 Km and there was no way i was getting on with a 20km backpack strapped to my back. I think it weighed more than the lad did! We out right refused to get on and they said they would get us a car. S0 another half an hour later a town local who was a blatant boy racer turned up in his Fiat Panda (The car still had masking tape all over it from its recent DIY paint job). We got in just wanting to get out of the rain.

With the Cabins being so out of the way from the town there was supposed to be a restaurant on site. But after being dropped off at a very expensive restaurant we were told the restaurant in the resort was closed and we would have to eat here. Luckily the food was actually OK so we filled our boots. I'm sure we were given a more expensive English menu though!

So we arrived at the place after scrambling over wet dips and hills. Our room was actually nice so we thought things were looking up. Even though the place was deserted we thought the quietness would do us good. So i went to order 2 beers to relax after quite a stressful time. They had beer but no fridge...it was disgusting.

So we went to bed annoyed and didn't sleep all that well. The next morning we found that if we wanted to eat we had to moped it into town every time. Also to get to the lake and the waterfalls they tried to charge is $50 for a car. We couldn't believe the cheek! So much for a relaxing couple of days.

So we decided to leave and headed back into town. We found a nice little hotel for a quarter of the price and had a wonderful dinner in a local restaurant. With Dave still not being 100% we just didn't need the hassle and couldn't believe we got it so wrong.

We left the Next day not having seen anything we went to see in the first place (most of the day was spent looking for a hotel!) Absolute waste of time and money. You live and learn.

Time to leave Cambodia now so heading to Laos tomorrow!

Next stop Pakse