Sep 2013 Bus Cambodia to Vietnam: rains and flooding
Aug 9, 2013, 4:46 pm
#1
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Sep 2013 Bus Cambodia to Vietnam: rains and flooding
I'm travelling by bus between Phnom Penh and Saigon in early September. I've done the trip before, but never before to link up with a same day departure from SGN, and never at this time of year.
I'm OK leaving generous buffers for delay, and I'm resigned to a perfect journey and hours to kill at SGN before Lufthansa brings me home.
And then I remembered the flatness of the countryside, the water and then the rains and floods of last year. I think the SERIOUS wet only starts in September, but things are changing.
For those with greater experience of the topography, the weather and the hydrology of the region - should I worry? Better yet, should I fly?
I'm OK leaving generous buffers for delay, and I'm resigned to a perfect journey and hours to kill at SGN before Lufthansa brings me home.
And then I remembered the flatness of the countryside, the water and then the rains and floods of last year. I think the SERIOUS wet only starts in September, but things are changing.
For those with greater experience of the topography, the weather and the hydrology of the region - should I worry? Better yet, should I fly?
Aug 9, 2013, 7:53 pm
#4
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I haven't taken the road between Phnom Penh and SGN so I won't comment on that.
Phnom Penh just got back into a wet cycle after some time of less humidity but this year also had a very early rainy spell. If the pattern of the last 5 days continues throughout August then you might want to reassess. K6 flights can be had at reasonable costs though only you can decide if their schedule works for you.
I'd wait and see what the next few weeks bring in terms of rain before you change plans.
Phnom Penh just got back into a wet cycle after some time of less humidity but this year also had a very early rainy spell. If the pattern of the last 5 days continues throughout August then you might want to reassess. K6 flights can be had at reasonable costs though only you can decide if their schedule works for you.
I'd wait and see what the next few weeks bring in terms of rain before you change plans.
Aug 10, 2013, 6:06 am
#5
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Thanks dsquared - so another year of floods looks on the cards. I'm sure the appropriate authorities have contingency plans well in place ......
Aug 10, 2013, 7:13 pm
#6
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Another thing to keep in mind is the Mekong is fed from so many disparate areas that it's not the local rains that necessarily control flooding. Even if Phnom Penh/Cambodia didn't get any rain in the last week (and they got quite a bit) the remnants of the typhoon that just drenched Laos and northeastern Thailand would have raised the river.
Definitely take a wait and see attitude considering your trip is still ~4 weeks away.
Aug 10, 2013, 9:50 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2013
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Road from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap to Bangkok floods?
Hi I am flying into Phnom Penh on Tuesday and will be there a few days before taking the bus to SR. After a few days of seeing the temples was planning on bus back to Bangkok as this is towards the end of our Hol and funds depleting.
I would greatly appreciate if anyone could comment if this journey is safe currently (or over the next week or so) otherwise would it be advised to looking into flights again?
Thank you in advance.
I would greatly appreciate if anyone could comment if this journey is safe currently (or over the next week or so) otherwise would it be advised to looking into flights again?
Thank you in advance.
Aug 10, 2013, 11:30 pm
#8
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Hi I am flying into Phnom Penh on Tuesday and will be there a few days before taking the bus to SR. After a few days of seeing the temples was planning on bus back to Bangkok as this is towards the end of our Hol and funds depleting.
I would greatly appreciate if anyone could comment if this journey is safe currently (or over the next week or so) otherwise would it be advised to looking into flights again?
Thank you in advance.
I would greatly appreciate if anyone could comment if this journey is safe currently (or over the next week or so) otherwise would it be advised to looking into flights again?
Thank you in advance.
Your bus ticket is $30 (IIRC from the sign at Paragon) and AirAsia is $50 after taxes and fees, but before luggage.
Aug 11, 2013, 2:03 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2013
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Any other thoughts or suggestions appreciated too
Thank you once again.
Aug 11, 2013, 4:32 am
#10
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) - it's just that the 2011 floods such havoc in my life that they've rather stuck to the forefront of my memory. Selfish, I know: a good few people suffered far, far worse consequences than I did.
Aug 11, 2013, 9:04 am
#11
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As always the intensity of suffering is inversely related to the amount of money/connections you've connived.
Aug 14, 2013, 4:06 am
#12
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I'm travelling by bus between Phnom Penh and Saigon in early September. I've done the trip before, but never before to link up with a same day departure from SGN, and never at this time of year.
I'm OK leaving generous buffers for delay, and I'm resigned to a perfect journey and hours to kill at SGN before Lufthansa brings me home.
And then I remembered the flatness of the countryside, the water and then the rains and floods of last year. I think the SERIOUS wet only starts in September, but things are changing.
For those with greater experience of the topography, the weather and the hydrology of the region - should I worry? Better yet, should I fly?
I'm OK leaving generous buffers for delay, and I'm resigned to a perfect journey and hours to kill at SGN before Lufthansa brings me home.
And then I remembered the flatness of the countryside, the water and then the rains and floods of last year. I think the SERIOUS wet only starts in September, but things are changing.
For those with greater experience of the topography, the weather and the hydrology of the region - should I worry? Better yet, should I fly?
