Arthur's Diary, Week 8: Phnom Penh, a Dodgy Stomach & a Visa Stuck in Limbo

Arthur is 65, retired, and spending three months travelling solo (with company when he wants it!) through Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. These are his diary entries - an honest view from the first ever DECADES trip, written for anyone wondering whether to make the leap themselves.

Seven nights and a dodgy stomach

We had a scheduled 7 nights in Phnom Penh. Not being a massive fan of big cities, I'd thought about a trip to the coast / islands for a few days. Sadly, the stability of my stomach had other ideas and kept me within 20 seconds of a bathroom for much of the week.

The Genocide Museum and The Killing Fields

I did manage a visit to the Genocide Museum and The Killing Fields here in Phnom Penh, memorials to the 2m people killed by the Pol Pot regime in the late 70s. A quarter of the population was tortured and executed by their countrymen. Another sad example of how cruel we can be to our fellow man. The scenes I saw were really quite graphic and upsetting.

The Irish passport bites back

I've thoroughly enjoyed the ease with which I travel through Europe with my Irish passport post-Brexit, and may even have been smug about it a time or two.

Well it bit me on the arse big time in the last few days.

Whilst Brits and half the EU enjoy visa-free access to Vietnam, it does not extend to Ireland. My visa application went in last Tuesday ready for a border crossing on Sunday, but the universe had other plans. On Thursday they requested some additional information which reset the 3-5 working day turnaround time!

So whilst my fellow travellers have all been living it up in Ho Chi Minh City the last few days, I've been stuck in Phnom Penh. Good news though - my visa arrived this arvo and I've booked a coach to cross the border and will catch up with the others late on Wednesday.

I've got some catching up to do in Ho Chi Minh City!