Andrew was all about this boat ride. It was six hours and $20.00 (about three hours longer and $15.00 more expensive than the bus) but he heard it was worth it, and so we went to Siem Reap by boat. Because it's currently monsoon (or rainy) season, the trip was 2-3 hours shorter because we could shortcut through the flood plains. This meant narrow channels, branches brushing up against the nylon window cover and boats barely being able to pass each other, and an overwhelming appreciation it wasn't raining. We chatted with an Australian family, we lounged on the roof of the boat, and we took lots of pictures and videos of the "floating villages" we passed through. And then, the best part of the day: we tracked down our friend, Andre, waiting for us in Siem Reap!
When we were approaching the dock, Andrew and I were lounging on the roof of the boat. He scurried down a little bit faster than myself, so we were docking while I was midair jumping down from the roof into the small stairwell into the boat. Simultaneous to my mid-air suspension, a hoard of men rushed the boat in such a flurry that I wondered who was trying to sneak drugs into Siem Reap. All wearing the same shirt, I watched wide-eyed as I settled my feet onto the boat and then was accosted: "You want tuk tuk?" They weren't policemen busting a big drug deal, they were simply tuk tuk drivers completely oblivious to the madness they were creating on board, not even waiting for us to get off the boat! One man was furious, and yelled at the tuk tuk driver who was immediately to my right. The tuk tuk driver rolled his eyes and asked me if I wanted a tuk tuk. "No way dude!" I responded, "You nearly knocked me off of the boat. There's no way I'm going anywhere with you!" Obviously unaware we already had a driver and a room waiting for us, he morphed into the diva he was born to be and just short of snapping his fingers at me, he responded: "See if you get a ride or a hotel in Siem Reap then!"
Momma, you asked what a tuk tuk was, this is it: (Ours conveniently broke down on the way into town, so I took the opportunity to snap a picture for you)
