2019 Q8 4ND: 08 Siem Reap - Stung Treng

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” – John Quincy Adams

(A quiet sleepy border town of Stung Treng)

Day 08: 08 Dec 2019 (Sunday) 
Route: Siem Reap - Stung Treng
Distance: 308 km
Hotel: Apsara Guesthouse, Stung Treng

07:00 - Although there are many Muslim restaurants nearby, we still had our usual breakfast of half boiled eggs and bread in the hotel room.

(The hotel is next to Masjid al-Naekmah)

07:30 - Drove towards Stung Treng on Route 64. Our first time using this route to Stung Treng. The 300km road is paved and in good condition crossing the northern part of Cambodia and has much less traffic than the alternative south road, the one we took during the last Kembara trip. It avoids passing through Kampong Cham and Kratie and saves quite a distance.

(A busy junction off the main road)

(Paved road all the way to Stung Treng)

(Passing through small villages)

(A junction leading to the north)

(Driving with care through busy market street)

09:30 – Somewhere at Soutr Nikom, met the Malaysian bikers again. They were on their way to enter Vietnam and planned to cross the border today. It was still quite a distance to cover and they were running late. Hopefully they could make it to the border. Through past experience, small borders usually close at 18:00 or the latest 20:00.

(Taking a break at a wakaf by the road)

(A junction either leading to Vietnam or Laos)

10:30 - Stopped at a gas station in Kuleaen for comfort break.

(Taking a break at a Tela Depot)

(Their toilets are usually very clean)

11:30 - Another stop by the road side at Thala Barivat for coffee break.

(Bush fires seen along the route)

(Beware of wild animals crossing the road)

(A shady area for a pit stop)

(We are making good time)

13:15 - Crossed the bridge across Se Kong River to Stung Treng. Stung Treng overlooks the Mekong River where it joins the Se Kong River. It is about 50km to the Laos border.
13:45 - Arrived Stung Treng and drove direct to the food court at the market for lunch. The Muslim stall is temporarily relocated outside as the market is under major renovation.

(Crossing the Se Kong River)

(Relocated stalls outside the market)

(Many Muslim stalls in the market)

(Beef, fried chicken with rice for lunch)

14:30 - Checked in Apsara Guesthouse for USD15/night. Changed USD20 to Riel at the Money Changer in case we need to use Riel at the border tomorrow.

(Our third time in Stung Treng)

(The busy market place)

(Many hotels and hostels in town)

(A combination of old and new architectures)

(A Muslim restaurant owner)

16:00 - Took a leisure walk along the Mekong River for some photo shots of the sunset.

(The bridge across Mekong River)

(A floating restaurant on Mekong River)

(Cloudy sky for a leisure walk)

(Sunset over Friendship Monument)

(End-of-day for Vivo team)

18:00 - We were not overly hungry so had steaming Maggie for dinner in the room.

        2019 4ND: 09 Stung Treng - Pakse👉

👈2019 4ND: 07 Phnom Penh - Siem Reap