Siem Reap, Cambodia
22-24 March 2011
We rattle for 4 hours on our bus from the ship to Siem Reap. The longest 4 hours ever I think. We arrive to the gorgeous Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, and immediately begin the adjustment to the culture shock. Heat is extreme, and the "dump" of cold from the air-conditioning and the ice cold towels from the doormen are most welcome. Indeed the latter are dispensed each time you enter the hotel. We check in and spend barely an hour loving our rooms and downing a quick G & T before the afternoon's touring begins - the long awaited and much anticipated Angkor Wat.
We enjoy the short drive out of town, and can instantly see that this is a prosperous town indeed - naturally! With one of the Seven Wonders, and hordes of people from all ages visiting from all corners of the globe to see it, they have it made. We drive along a fabulous "parkway" - a new, smooth road, and lined with lovely trees. Teams of people sweeping and beautifying, and not a piece of litter in sight. A nice welcome to Angkor Wat - the world's largest temple. We spend three hours in the hottest heat we have ever experienced, crawling all over this massive complex - including "heaven" which is up (and down!) a long and vertiginous stairway. I remind myself that this is an excellent training session for Mont Blanc, and indeed it is. Humidity is pervasive, and perspiration runs from our bodies and soaks our clothes. We ditch the bus and take a $5 tuk tuk back to the hotel - would have paid $20 just for the breeze which came with it. Fell into the hotel and collapsed. Dragged ourselves out at 1930 for a stroll into town and a bit of orientation. What a great town - busy, buzzy, classy. Loved it. Fell into bed and decided to skip tomorrow's touring - just can't do it.
23 March: So much for a much needed great night's sleep. There was the mother of all storms followed by torrential rain. We are on the top floor (there are only three) of the hotel, and all night we had the drip, drip, drip of rain which seemed as if it was leaking into our room. Every time we got up to put something down to catch the drips there were none! Had some breakfast then walked around to the Hotel de la Paix (by way of the Red Piano for a drink) where we are staying overnight tonight. Within an hour we find ourselves in a very new and unusual position - we have possession of two hotel rooms! with stuff in each. This is because I have been implored by the people at HLDP to stay with them, and I agreed - since we are paying for neither room, it seems like an OK arrangement. Our room is utterly stunning as you would expect for such a high end place, and we love it. Back to Raffles for lunch, before afternoon touring of Ta Phroem - the temple with ancient trees growing from the equally ancient building. We were not disappointed and loved it. Marginally cooler than yesterday, fewer steps, and less people.
Still, we are well and truly "templed out", and are glad this is the last. Our guide says we should be staying longer in Siem Reap and then we could see more temples!!!
We go back to the HDLP to enjoy our room, then just as we decide to go out for dinner and a foray to the night market, the heavens opened and along with thunder and lightning, kept us confined to barracks - but not for long. We had a snack in the Café de la Paix (lovely), and then at 7.30pm the rain stopped and I went to the nearby night market to get some samples for Jill. Early to bed for an early start and the long trip home tomorrow.
24 March: Up early, we shower and leave the HDLP (so sorry not to be staying longer), and return to Raffles (loved that too!!), to pick up our stuff there, and have breakfast before we leave for the airport at 0800. A wonderful trip, and a long day ahead.
