Thailand to Sihanoukville 2

The trip does require a night in Koh Kong, the border town on the Cambodian side, because the border opens in the morning at the same time that the boat leaves (at 8:00 a.m.) It's a ten minute ride into town by taxi, fifteen by motorbike. Don't pay more than half of the original asking price. I always shout out "Moto Guesthouse!" and quickly get whisked away from the pestering hoards of touts.

DO NOT change money at the border. No need to as all of Koh Kong accepts U.S. dollars or Thai Baht and all of Cambodia uses U.S. Dollars.
The Moto cost 200 Baht and offered air conditioning, cable TV, a swimming pool, and excellent meals. The town is small and an afternoon is sufficient to see it. I partied there one night with some Germans and we all ended up missing the one daily boat. That made for one extra, very long day in Koh Kong! The guest house offered to amend our tickets for a healthy fee. The Germans paid but I refused. Boarding on the following morning, the boat company accepted my 'out-dated' ticket with no questions asked.

All the guesthouses sell tickets for the boat (U.S.$20) and arrange transport to the dock. Tickets can be also purchased at the dock before boarding. There are numerous guesthouses within walking distance of the dock as well.
(to be continued)