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Ratanakiri |
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I saw advertisement "EXTRA FLIGHT TO RATANAKIRI" in newspaper. Generally there are only two flights a week on Mondays and Fridays to Ratanakiri; this adv. said "You may now book seats on a special flight sponsored by The Cambodian Daily on Wednesday, January 07, 2004". 'Oh it's tomorrow!' immediately I telephoned to the office as I wanted to go there for a long time.
Command a bird's-eye view of Royal Cambodia Golf Club At 10:10 next morning our plane took off with 7 passengers into the sunny skies of Phnom Penh. The plane passed over golf course, which I always play, and flight northeast along the Mekong River to Ratanakiri. |
Around 30 minutes later the plane left the Mekong River and flight over primeval forest. There was red clay here and there like a patchwork, what is more I saw smoking in place in the forest. Although I guess these smoking were slash-and-burn farming or for plantations these were looked like burn scar on the earth. 
Ratanakiri airport |
Ban Lung is dusty capital of Ratanakiri Province; the town is spread around Independence Monument circle. Main Street was similar wide as Phnom Penh but town center was smaller than I guess.
Independence Monument and market
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At first I checked into Ratanak Hotel, which most fine building in this town for the present. As I needed some information, I asked about tourist office at the reception. But I was surprised with his answer "We have the office in the town but no one work there." "Oh, what shall I do?"
The most big building in the town was Ratanak Hotel When I had took lunch in hotel's restaurant Mr. Virak, guide belonged exclusively to this hotel, was coming with brochure of sightseeing. He explained what I had to see in this area and I had no choice but to sightseeing with his proposal. In the last he made a suggestion, "Why don't you have elephant trek to waterfall this afternoon?" 
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