I confirm previous reports about possible crossing the border at 'hwy' 13.
there was absolutely no trouble when i crossed at this lonesome borderpost on 06. Jan.. the more or less uniformed people there were only interested in collecting USD 3 (negotiations start at $5) each. on both sides no papers for the bike were asked. only to be on the safe side when exiting Cambodia i convinced them to stamp my carnet. two other germans who had crossed the border in opposite direction 2 weeks before had no carnets and did not bother about any paperwork for their bikes.
if travelling south the last proper gas station is at Pakse (Veunkham is a 4km dirt road off the hwy and has only petrol from a barrel). the dirt road (5km from end of tarmac at the Veunkham turnoff to the borderpost is in ok condition whiole the 60km or so to Stung Treng can be demanding when wet (large mud holes). prepare to be ripped off at the crossing across the Sekong river by boat within sight of Stung Treng (USD 10 - no bargaining possible)
from Stung Treng i crossed the Mekong on another shaky boat (this time only $ 3) and travelled the shortcut west to Siem Reap via Cheap, Rovieng, Ta Seng and Beng Melea as described in the lp guide. this was the most adventurous part of my 3 months trip and well worth the sweat. there is a not described and not signposted guesthouse in a khmer villa at rovieng (600m south of the roundabout at the left side) with extremly friendly people running it.
there was absolutely no trouble when i crossed at this lonesome borderpost on 06. Jan.. the more or less uniformed people there were only interested in collecting USD 3 (negotiations start at $5) each. on both sides no papers for the bike were asked. only to be on the safe side when exiting Cambodia i convinced them to stamp my carnet. two other germans who had crossed the border in opposite direction 2 weeks before had no carnets and did not bother about any paperwork for their bikes.
if travelling south the last proper gas station is at Pakse (Veunkham is a 4km dirt road off the hwy and has only petrol from a barrel). the dirt road (5km from end of tarmac at the Veunkham turnoff to the borderpost is in ok condition whiole the 60km or so to Stung Treng can be demanding when wet (large mud holes). prepare to be ripped off at the crossing across the Sekong river by boat within sight of Stung Treng (USD 10 - no bargaining possible)
from Stung Treng i crossed the Mekong on another shaky boat (this time only $ 3) and travelled the shortcut west to Siem Reap via Cheap, Rovieng, Ta Seng and Beng Melea as described in the lp guide. this was the most adventurous part of my 3 months trip and well worth the sweat. there is a not described and not signposted guesthouse in a khmer villa at rovieng (600m south of the roundabout at the left side) with extremly friendly people running it.
