Cambodia

[Sunday, February 1]

The airport procedure in Australia was quite unfriendly.  We’ve gotten used to the smaller airports that have been very gracious about accommodating such a large group.  However, when we arrived on board, our plane was all decorated with Australian flags and the cabin crew were wearing Aussie aprons.  What a fun group!

Flight attendant Melanie, Australian themed plane today

Drinks and canapes over Indonesia

Northern Australia

We left Cairns at 11:30 AM and took 7 and a half hours to make it to Siam Reap, Cambodia.  We flew over the north of Australia, including Darwin, and then over Indonesia, including Borneo.  Finally, we crossed over to Vietnam and flew along the Mekong delta.

We arrived in Cambodia around 3:30 PM, and took a small motor coach to the hotel.  It was decorated very brightly, and we were given chilled cotton cloths scented with rose water in the bus, in addition to the usual offer of water.  It was fun to see the variety of things on the roads – mostly trucks, tuk-tuks, motor cycles and bicycles – very few cars.  Driving is like in Poland – the middle land is no-man’s-land, used for passing in either direction and you play a bit of a game of chicken with the oncoming traffic.

Fabric decorating our motor coaches

Friends Gary and Rahda adding to the colorful look in the bus

Traffic in Siam Reap

Passes to enter the Angkor temple complex

We drove past Ankor Wat on our way to get our photos taken at the Angkor Park ticket center.

The hotel- Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor – was build during French Colonial times.  We were greeted with a silk scarf and a watermelon drink.  Our room is large and spacious.  We have a balcony and it looks out to the park across the street.  The King of Cambodia is in Siam Reap for a special occasion and is staying at a location in the park – all lit up at night for his celebration.

Gifts for us from Angkor hotel - scarves, a long wrap skirt and and shirt

Hotel pool and spa

We took a walk around the hotel and along the river.  Found a Buddhist temple to visit.  A quiet oasis off the busy main street in Siam Reap.

Selling coconut water and fruit