By Matthew Smith
Two days ago Garrett and I left Phnom Penh headed north to our put-in at the Srepok river. Out of the city we took a charter bus to Stung Treng. 3 hours deep the bus broke down. We waited for the driver to fix the bus but eventually another bus arrived and we were moving again. After some tasty road side dumplings we arrived at Stung Treng at 10pm and stayed the night. In the morning we stuffed our 195lbs of gear and our bodies into a "mini bus". A mini bus is a mini van with 2 extra rows of seats added to it. The bus picked up 20 men women and children. Once full to Cambodian capacity we took off down a dirt road towards Ban Lung with the greatest Cambodian hits blaring.
The bus was over crowded, loud and not near my usual traffic safety comfort levels. But now we are in the country side and itching for some real adventure. The bus ride was not fun but it's not about fun. Things like miserable bus rides which leave you thinking "how did I get here?" are just part of the experience. In those moments it's about cracking a smile and having a laugh.
Two days ago Garrett and I left Phnom Penh headed north to our put-in at the Srepok river. Out of the city we took a charter bus to Stung Treng. 3 hours deep the bus broke down. We waited for the driver to fix the bus but eventually another bus arrived and we were moving again. After some tasty road side dumplings we arrived at Stung Treng at 10pm and stayed the night. In the morning we stuffed our 195lbs of gear and our bodies into a "mini bus". A mini bus is a mini van with 2 extra rows of seats added to it. The bus picked up 20 men women and children. Once full to Cambodian capacity we took off down a dirt road towards Ban Lung with the greatest Cambodian hits blaring.
The bus was over crowded, loud and not near my usual traffic safety comfort levels. But now we are in the country side and itching for some real adventure. The bus ride was not fun but it's not about fun. Things like miserable bus rides which leave you thinking "how did I get here?" are just part of the experience. In those moments it's about cracking a smile and having a laugh.