Has the raining season started in the north-east of Thailand?

I do not know about the rest of Thailand but here in Khon Kaen it seems that the raining season has set in. The last week it has been raining almost every day, most times in the afternoon or late evening. Sometimes with strong winds, but most times also short. About 1 hour of rain.

Now at 8 in the morning it is dark and wet from an all night rain. Not really a nice weather for riding motorbike, but the nature will look beautiful green again so an good time to travel in the National Parks.

Reflection of 2 weeks in Cambodia

May 2013 I was again 2 weeks in Cambodia. As said I have a kind of love & hate relationship with Phnom Penh, so I liked it to be back again in chaotic Phnom Penh with 24hr/day street-life going on and the slow but chaotic traffic of motorbikes, TukTuk's and cars. Cars .... used Cambodia to be the country of Camery's the last time I was there the trend for Lexus and Toyota Land Cruiser was set. And that trend has continued with Range Rovers, Hummers and many other expensive cars. And not only in  Phnom Penh but also in Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri the trend was showing. Of course this is only for the very upper-class of Cambodia as there is almost no middle-class the rest of the Cambodians are still transporting with motorbikes, mini-van's, TukTuks, some pickup-trucks, bus and even the wooden ox-car.

Restaurant review : Gecko House (Ban Lung, Cambodia)

Sorry no photos ..... A very cozy restaurant at "Pub street" in town. They serve mostly Cambodian food, but also pizza and some other western dishes. A bit more expensive and a bit slow kitchen. But worth the effort as the food is good!  When you first walk in it all looks a bit dark and maybe closed but you are wrong. It is open all day. Well at least for lunch, diner and late night drink.

They also serve good cocktails and beers, so later in the evening it becomes also a bit of a bar. I think the only place in town where you can eat in a bit cozy atmosphere.

Thanks Jared for pointing out the quality of this place!

So for a lunch, diner, snack or just for an drink go to Gecko House!

Bottom line ....
Would I come back here? Yes!
Would I recommend it? YES!

Hotel review : Ratanak Resort (Ban Lung, Cambodia)

OK I did not stay here and no photos. I just had a look.

It is located a few km east of town, about 500m after the round-about going to Yaklom lake. You have to take a small not really sealed road of about 500m to the resort that is located on top of a hill with almost 360degrees view of jungle. A really great location ... once you are there. But you will need your own transport, although they say they will pick you up from town free of charge.

They have 5 Superior wooden bungalows and 10 standard wooden bungalows. In the centre is the restaurant serving food & drinks all day. But the most beautiful thing about the resort is the stunning infinity swimming pool overlooking the jungle of Yaklom lake. Really amazing!

A perfect place for small tour-groups that like a bit of luxury!

See www.ratanakresort.com

Ratanakiri airport (Cambodia)

Arrival & Departure hall

One of the reasons why there are no commercial flights to Ban Lung anymore since a few years

Family life at the riverside market of Voeune Sai (Cambodia)

A day trip to Voeune Sai (Cambodia)

From Ban Lung it is about 35km to Voeune Sai along the banks of the "Tonle San", from where you can cross the river by ferry to Virachey to go trekking in the 'Wildlife Sanctuary".

A few days in Ban Lung (Ratanakiri, Cambodia)

The cut trees, don't they

Ban Lung is the capital city of the province Ratanakiri in the most North-East of Cambodia, along the Lao and Vietnamese border. Jared from "Cambodia Alive" captured it best with

"The region has been known for trekking for a while now, though some of the most common trekking locations are not doing well against their competition of logging and commercial agricultural interests. Nonetheless the wilderness still holds surprises."

Kids playing in Tuk-Tuk (Ban Lung, Cambodia)

A stop-over in Kratie (Cambodia)

As travelling all the way from Mondukkiri (Sen Monorom) to Ratanakiri (Ban Lung) was a bit too much for 1 day, a 1 night stop-over was made in Kratie, a provincial small city along the mighty Mekong river.

A day in Sen Monorom (Mondulkiri, Cambodia)

Market street

Sen Monorom is the capital city of the province Mondulkiri in the North-East of Cambodia, along the Vietnamese border. Although on the maps of Cambodia it is officially marked with an airport there are no commercial flights anymore since a few years.

A few days in Phnom Penh (Cambodia)

My tour of 2 weeks in Cambodia started with a few days in Phnom Penh. I have been now a few times in Phnom Penh and I love & hate it. I love the chaotic 24h/day street-life, I love the many beautiful buildings, I love the riverside boulevard in the early morning and begin of the evening. I hate the bloody Tuk-Tuk drivers at the riverside area, hundreds of them every 5sec asking "You want taxi" and if you ignore them they start shouting "You, You!". And then I am not even talking about the ridicules over-pricing of the Tuk-Tuk's. I love the good Asian Fusion food at the restaurants and the good wines for not too much money. Love wins!

Restaurant review : Blue Pumpkin (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

Photo from their Facebook page

An bakery chain that started in Siem Reap and has now about 6 outlets in Phnom Penh and 4 outlets in Siem Reap. And they serve the best cakes, bread an fruit shakes in town. And they are open from 6 in the morning until late in the evening.

Restaurant review : Bodega (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

A restaurant serving Spanish, French, Belgium and Khmer food. I loved the lamb shank and the "Caramel cream". And a nice sangria as drink. The staff is friendly and service minded. They have free WIfi. They also have an "Patat snack bar" on the other side of the street.

They also serve tapas in a set with a glass of wine. They have a good and wide collection of wine and most can be taken by the glass. It became my favourite place for dinner (gaining weight!). It is located 2 streets from the riverside area.

See Bodega

and La Patate

Hotel review : Ratanak City Hotel (Ban Lung, Cambodia)

A new business style hotel, just 3min walking from the main road. Of course they do not have an swimming pool or restaurant. But friendly and efficient staff.

Restaurant review : You Hong (Kratie, Cambodia)

A restaurant (and guesthouse) for tourists serving breakfast, lunch and diner. You can also buy bus-tickets here. They have free Wifi and paid use of computers. Although I do read a lot of complaining about their service I never had any problems. Good service, staff speaks English. And the food was good. It is located about 20m from the riverside, between the market and the riverside.

See You hong

Hotel review : Oeun Sakona Hotel (Sen Monorom, Cambodia)

It is simple and basic hotel with fan rooms only (= no airco) and a very small bathroom but with warm water. The hotel has private parking, a simple restaurant but of course no swimming pool.

Delicious dried Bokar ham at Metro (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

Metro is an modern lounge style bar & restaurant along the riverside boulevard serving good Asian Fusion food and great drinks. Not cheap and at lunch & diner time you will need to make an reservation as it will be full with local expats and Cambodian people. 

And the staff is super friendly and service minded. I love it here. My favourite place to have a lunch snack! And the dried Bokar had with a small salad, served with fresh french bread was really delicious!

See Metro PP

Hotel review : Terres Rouges Lodge (Ban Lung, Cambodia)

My Junior Suite room tastefully and comfortable decorated with a huge bathroom (and open-air shower in the garden). Of course the room has TV, Airco and ceiling fan.

From Ban Lung to the border Cambodia and Vietnam

The border between Cambodia and Vietnam, just 70km east of Ban Lung in the province Ratanakiri. At the moment Cambodian visa on arrival is available, but visa for Vietnam has to be obtained on forehand (in Phnom Penh). The all road (route 78) from Ban Lung to the border is at the moment in perfect condition. It is a beautiful trip, although I can imagine that 10 years ago it must have been an stunning trip.