Hiccup two

>
> Well it turns out the pajama clad officials were indeed customs officers. They understood our requirement to cross but couldn't do it as they needed some authorization from their officials from phnom Penh. No request for money was made. No dirty stuff so everything was completely above board.
>
> But we still couldn't enter the kingdom of Cambodia. So as we were leaving. One of the goons says he will try to help us out get the permit from phnom Penh. Nothing exorbitant. Just a couple hundred of baht needed.
>
> Anyway. He'd still need three days. That's the ninth. So we have had two options. Park in the duty free no mans land casino strip and taxi to siem reap for 3 days or head back to Thailand.
>
> We opted for the Thailand. Thought we'd explore Thailand a little more. Perhaps head to Ayutthaya.
>
> Unfortunately upon checking. All the hotels we called were full and changed direction to Nakhon Ratchasima
>
> Enroute, car hiccup #2 arrived. Temperature started rising drastically and when it started pushing 110c we pulled over. Thankfully with Rafi's bag o tricks it was identified that the thermostat had died.
>
> Car cooled. We opened it up to find the thermostat snapped. Permanent close. Water was not getting to the radiator. (now praying for my head gasket)
>

W124's in miniature Vegas

You will find some white W124's running around the miniature Vegas area.
These cars are imported from S'pore after the expiration of COE.
Most of them are Masterpiece version and use primarily to ferry VIP guests
from the border.

It may appear that both Rafi's and your car are there to ferry VVIPs :)

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Lincoln [mailto:paulblincoln@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, 5 December, 2011 11:28 PM
To: Leslie Chang; William Lyou; Eunice Lincoln-D'Cotta; Sgmercedesestate;
Sher Min TE; Raymond TE; Keith Q
Subject: Stuck in no mans land

The car was fortunately sorted today. Though it was a public holiday (Kings
Birthday) in Thailand we managed to find a European car specialist in Hua
Hin. Two spark plug leads and a tune up and Bertha was better than ever. The
downside was we departed Hua Hin some three hours too late and arrived at
the Thai - Cambodian border just in the nick of time at 6pm. Border closing
is at 8pm.

The immigration crossing went very smoothly which was such a surprise. Next
step was customs declaration for the cars. We were guided to the customs
building but found the building quiet.

Then, a couple of Yahoos showed up and claimed to be customs officers
wearing pajamas. Not entirely convinced they were genuine customs officers.
We played on. They claimed that customs was closed but they could help us.
Anyway some phone calls later, some guy in a singlet showed up and was
supposed to be the main customs guy. It was probable. He entered the customs
building and I was told (by Rafi) that he knew his way around things at the
customs office. I at that time was busy buying drinks for the goons.

Long story short. No customs clearance. They told us to come back in the
morning. So here we now are in the duty free zone between Thailand and
cambodia in what looks like miniature Vegas.

So fingers crossed. Tomorrow will be a better day!

Stuck in no mans land

The car was fortunately sorted today. Though it was a public holiday (Kings Birthday) in Thailand we managed to find a European car specialist in Hua Hin. Two spark plug leads and a tune up and Bertha was better than ever. The downside was we departed Hua Hin some three hours too late and arrived at the Thai - Cambodian border just in the nick of time at 6pm. Border closing is at 8pm.

The immigration crossing went very smoothly which was such a surprise. Next step was customs declaration for the cars. We were guided to the customs building but found the building quiet.

Then, a couple of Yahoos showed up and claimed to be customs officers wearing pajamas. Not entirely convinced they were genuine customs officers. We played on. They claimed that customs was closed but they could help us. Anyway some phone calls later, some guy in a singlet showed up and was supposed to be the main customs guy. It was probable. He entered the customs building and I was told (by Rafi) that he knew his way around things at the customs office. I at that time was busy buying drinks for the goons.

Long story short. No customs clearance. They told us to come back in the morning. So here we now are in the duty free zone between Thailand and cambodia in what looks like miniature Vegas.

So fingers crossed. Tomorrow will be a better day!

Arrived in Hua Hin

We're leaving Hua Hin today. A very busy and colorful beach town. Much to see and do here. Passengers in good spirits. Bertha is not so well. I seemed to have had a drastic drop in power as soon as we filled up in Thailand.

Have been playing with the ignition timing to try and resolve the problem. We are now departing for Siem Reap.

Arrived in Thailand today

Arrived in Thailand safely today. It was a rather overcast day so that helped us as it wasn't too hot.

Car ran well. It got smoother as the day progressed as it got decarbonized :). Tomorrow we are heading to Hua Hin.

Paul