Making a trip to Banlung, Ratanakiri, is more accessible, at least in recent years. Not really a place where many tourists think of going there as much as Siem Reap, but it is, of course, worthwhile if you are looking for a peaceful places for a retreat.

Where limited few barang (foreigners) are still visible in and around Kratie (usually around the town center and in guesthouse commons), virtually none stay in Ratanakiri. We made it a game to see who would be first to spot another tourist. It was a tie much later in the afternoon.

Not too many paved roads exist in Ban Lung’s backwater main stretch, where red dust kicked up by passing vehicles obscures visibility to a couple of hundred feet.