Ashe88
motodop
Posts: 24

#1 Posted: 30/12/2007 - 09:44


Hey guys,
I was hoping to hear from someone that has done this trip sort-of recently. I'm wondering whether it's advisable to get a share taxi to Battambang and then hire a small wooden boat to check out the scenery or bite the bullet and take the boat (sort of killing 2 birds with 1 stone). I'm just not sure because one second I hear it's fine and totally worth it and the next I hear the boats are death-traps and not worth it. I need the fial word on this one... : )
Anxious to hear from anyone
Ashe

somtam2000
admin
mahout
Posts: 2548

Located in:
Indonesia

#2 Posted: 30/12/2007 - 10:59


The trip is really beautiful, I wouldn't say the boats are deathtraps, but they're way overloaded and generally have no life-saving equipment. In dry season they regularly run aground, though I'm yet to hear of anyone actually drowning.

The most beautiful part of the trip is from the mouth of the Sangkar river onwards to Battambang, so you could see some of that from Battambang by boat rather than having to do the cross lake trip.

If you're not overly freaked out by dodgy boat rides, then I'd say it is certainly worth doing -- once. If I had to commute from Battambang to Siem Reap I'd be taking the taxi!

steveatkins
motodop
Posts: 30

#3 Posted: 30/12/2007 - 15:52


You can always charter a boat then there are no worries about it being overloaded plus you have more control over the captain. However, you are probably looking at $150 plus...