TEMPLES AND TUK TUKS
A short tour of Cambodia and Viet Nam
Home to Siem Reap
Wednesday 17th July 2024
Thursday 18th July, 2024
Friday 19th July, 2024
Wednesday 17th July 2024
Rosemary at Rydges
ere we are at Rydges, waiting for the off. We had a pleasant and fairly expensive meal at Smithy's Bar in the company of a friendly couple from Dubbo, on their way home from France. We shared a plate of "loaded" hummous with Turkish toast and a plate of chipotle chicken wings which were both tasty with a glass of pinot grigio, then shared Mexican churros with caramel and ice cream. Very nice but cost over $80!
Came back to the room to watch Hard Quiz and Gruen then an early night. We have to be at the airport by 7:15 for our 10:15 flight. We will breakfast at the airport after checking in.
It's all really happening!
Thursday 18th July, 2024
Mac in Business Class Vietnam Airlines
e had a seamless transition from Rydges to the Business Class lounge, just a minor problem with the "smart" passport control - mine refused to work and I must have looked like my passport photo by the time I got it sorted. We had breakfast in the Skyteam lounge and soon it was time for the flight.
Business Class Cabin Vietnamese Airlines
he Business Class section was only half full, with most chairs separate and individual. Mine was behind Mac with no contact so the steward relocated me across the aisle from him, but the chairs were still facing away from each other. It was rather like travelling alone!
he staff was very attentive and sweet and the food was great. Far too much really, as usual, but delicious and appealing. I read for a bit and dozed quite a bit, very comfy. I liked it better than Singapore last time, more straight stretch out, no curl ups.
Later:
e arrived in Ho Chi Minh City to find it very warm and wet, 31 degrees and raining. Apparently it is the wet season. Pity about that! We found our shuttle to the hotel with no difficulty, he was waiting for us in the designated place, and drove through rather poor looking streets to the hotel.
Hotel Ibis Foyer
he Ibis had a very decorative foyer complete with a Starbucks but the room was very minimalist, ie small, but it had everything we needed, a bed and a shower. Also a chair , desk and small table. I liked the decor, red and black with a quote from Henry Ford on the wall. Unfortunately we are off again at crack of dawn to the airport for the flight to Cambodia. Shuttle at 0500, breakfast box if wanted. Oh, well, we can rest in Siem Reap.
Inspiration in Ho Chi Minh City
e went to the rooftop bistro for dinner which was totally unnecessary, we were still full from the flight meals. But we had chicken satay sticks and a lemongrass and lime crush which was very refreshing.
From the Rooftop Bistro
he bistro was on the roof and fairly open to the elements. There was a fair amount of water on the floor from the rain, but it had stopped and there was a pleasant cool breeze. We could see and hear planes land at the airport and had a panoramic, if rather impressionistic, view of downtown HCM City through the roll down plastic blinds. The meal cost 680,000 dong, about $40.
Bed now, up at Oh God O'Clock tomorrow!
Friday 19th July, 2024
Forecourt of the lovely Sofitel, Siem Reap
ell, here we are in the super-swish Sofitel Angkor Golf and Spa. It is very attractive with hot and cold running staff who appear every time we approach a door to open it for us.
We arrived about 11:30, with another APT couple on the flight and transfer.
Statue at Sofitel
e got up at about 0400, showered and packed everything for a shuttle to the airport at 0500. Apart from a very afterthoughtish breakfast box which was not very inspiring, everything seemed to go well. We got through all the formalities then hung around the Cambodian Air gate which was supposed to open at 0730 for the 0815 takeoff. We didn't takeoff until nearly 0900 and it was a prop model which held about seventy people. The flight took about an hour and a half and they gave us a paper cup of water to sustain us!
Our Terrace, Sofitel
e were met at the airport by the APT rep who was very cute, and off we went for an hour to the Resort which is positioned between Siem Reap downtown and the temples. We were greeted in the beautiful lobby and offered a refreshing cup of iced tea, then were ushered to our room, 159, ground floor.
The room is large, well furnished in rather heavy dark wood. I felt the lighting could have been brighter but I always prefer bright to dim. On one small table there was what I thought was a decoration, a pretty horn shaped basket with a bunch of tiny bananas in it. Very decorative and Mac ate several of them, thus proving they were real!
View from our Terrace, Sofitel
t is quite a trek from the lobby, passing the lake, some interesting statuary and a number of restaurants. In the days to come we took wrong turns with monotonous regularity, but there was always someone to direct us the right way! We have a little terrace with a view over the lake, which may well become mosquito ridden by nightfall, but it is all good and very spacious.
Nibbles in the Champagne Bar
fter unpacking we explored a bit and had a club sandwich in the lobby Champagne Bar. This was a very comfortable small bar with a lovely view over the gardens. We ended up having light meals here on two or three other occasions. We decided on a glass of wine with our sandwich and were surprised by a lovely serve of nibbles to go with it. It was a very pleasant lunch and the serving staff were friendly and attentive.
Lotus in the Lake
fter lunch we strolled around the grounds, full of Khmer statuary and a lake full of huge lily pads which I think are lotus, until it started to rain. Although it rained last night at HCM it was a lovely day today and so far it has been nice here. Not too hot, a bit humid of course, but I didn't want to exert myself too much . Tonight is our Freedom of Choice dinner at 1900, must rest now.
Later:
he Freedom of Choice dinner was good, a four course meal (eek) in your choice of Asian, Western, Vegetarian or Vegan. We chose the Asian. Not quite sure of some of the offerings but there was something with fruit, veg and dried shrimp, mushroom soup, beef cheek slow cooked in massaman style and coconut creme brulee. May have been Asian but with a lot of French influence. Feeling stuffed again.
Up early again tomorrow for early breakfast, briefing from our tour director, and then away to the temples! Seldom get to sleep in on these tours.
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