Home at Last

 Friday was our last day in Siem Reap. We have a late breakfast, say goodbye to those leaving early and decide to sit by the pool for a while. It is 30 degrees and the pool looks very inviting. We do not have to check out until 2pm so I decide to have a swim. The water is warm and very refreshing. Ann looks on very relaxed lying down in a cool covered bed. 

After an hour we head off to pack for the last time. There is a couple from Canberra who were in group 2 who are travelling with us to Saigon.

We check out have a goodbye conversation with a great couple from Warragul (Vince and Afke) the are Dutch but emigrated to Australia some 35 years ago.  We arrive at the airport at 4pm for a 6.30pm flight, hardly anyone there. No  waiting at Customs or scanning. The flight actually leaves 15 mins early. It s a short flight, similar to Canberra, once you reach cruising altitude you start to descend. It is a long bus trip to the terminal on arrival in Saigon. Then there is a long wait to go through the scanner - only one operating for transit passengers.  We then have a reasonable walk to the gate and we arrive about 5 mins before boarding is due. Nice timing. But then nothing happens, people are getting restless, then it is announced boarding has been delayed. We have premium economy but there is no mention of priority boarding for premium holders. Boarding starts nearly 50 mins late and we line up with everyone else. When we board we seem to be the last couple to board in the premium section. The plane is another airbus 500 - very disappointing.  The armrest between me and Ann is covered in duct tape! My video screen does not work, the window shade is stuck at a quarter down, cannot be pushed up or down, then Ann's seat will not recline. The food was ordinary and the wine was warm and shithouse. While we had a little more leg room it was not worth the price paid! I slept maybe 3.5 hours, Ann maybe about 3 hours.

We land about 9.20am and Ann gets a text informing us that our driver is waiting. We are at the terminal but they cant get the airbridge to line up with the front door, after about 15 mins they decide to use the middle door. When we get off we are at the far end of the terminal and have a long walk to customs etc. Ann was going to get some Shiraz Gin which we saw at duty free when we were leaving, but on return - no Shiraz Gin! We now wait for our luggage, I pick up a trolley and we wait. Another 15 mins before luggage arrives. Place the luggage on the trolley and one wheel wont work. Take the bags off the trolley and wheel them out. No issues with customs and we are outside and our driver is waiting for us. He takes us to his BMW and we leave the airport around 10.25am. After introducing himself to us at pickup and confirming the address he does not say another word. We are home just after 11.30 and scare the shit out of Adam as we come in the back door.

It was a great trip, but no desire to go back to Vietnam or Cambodia.

We met some great couples, experienced some great times and enjoyed some good food and plenty of laughs. The cool group were Andy and Carol from England, Neil and Paula from NZ, Vince and Afke Warragul, Jenny and Marilyn from Yarra Valley and of course Ann and John from Seaford! 

Gala Dinner

 WOW, what a night. Last night’s gala dinner was fantastic and a fitting way to end our tour. We took a 20 minute bus ride to a temple in the outskirts of the  jungle at Prasat Kravan. As we arrive we are ushered to the start of a candle lit path that goes for 100 metres. At the start of the path and at regular intervals there are two warriors dressed in traditional garb barring the way. Music starts up and then we walk to the warriors who allow us to pass. At the end of the path you can just make out the shape of the temple. You are served drinks and canapés and then a light shines on the temple and there are five Cambodian girls standing on the temple performing hand movements. We then have a couple of dances from other performers and are then ushered round the back of the temples for another spectacular sight with ice carvings and coloured lights changing the colour of the temple.

Tables and chairs are set around tables with elaborate candle lit structures providing the light. There are two ice carvings of Buddha on each side of the stage.

Food was great, (dessert ordinary), atmosphere fantastic and entertainment excellent.

We get back to the hotel just after 10 and have a farewell drink in the elephant bar and get to bed at 11pm. Our last night. Tomorrow check out 2pm, first flight 6.30pm to Saigon and then 8.55pm to Melb. arriving 9.30am.

It will be a long day.

Sunrise Angkor Wat

 Up at 4.30, Ann slept well I felt like I was awake most of the night. It is quite warm, Ann thought about a top but quickly forgot that idea. We arrive around 5.15, in the dark, with torches. Hundreds of other people are here too. The sky slowly lightens and we are able to get some photos. Our walking sticks have been quite handy, would have struggled even more without them. We are back on the bus by 6.30 and head off for our champagne breakfast.

We have a drive of about 15 mins. to an area by a man made lake. Tables have been set up by the shoreline and it is a lovely area. After breakfast it is off to the temples. It is now getting very warm. We have to change into a van as large coaches are not allowed where we are going.

We visit the Ta Prohm temple, Angkor Thom and the multi faced Bayon Temple. The Ta Prohm temple was a location for the movie Tomb Raider. We are just about tempted out but the Ta Prohm temple was very interesting.

We are back at our hotel by 11.30 and in need of a shower. Free time for the rest of the day until 6.30 when we head off for our Gala Dinner.

Angkor Wat

 We heard from the Luggs that they are stuck in the container terminal in Phnom Penh and may not be able to sail away until Saturday. That must be very disappointing as they will miss some of their excursions - all because Biden is attending ASEAN! I am sure Scenic will try to make amends. This afternoon we went to Angkor Wat. An amazing place. We walked a lot but I was unable to make it all the way - too many steps and knees too unstable. Will probably have to bite the bullet and get my knees done. We still managed to see a lot of the temple.

It is 9.30 pm and about to go to sleep as we have a 4.30 am wake up call for a sunrise over Angkor Wat. Music still going strong outside our room, though it is the last night.

Siem Reap Day 2

 Surprisingly I had a good nights sleep. I used the ear plugs and they worked very well. Ann fell asleep about 10 mins after she started reading, so the noise did not worry her.

This morning we had a ballon ride, supposedly over Angkor Watt, but it was nearly two kms away so we could just make out the silhouette. It was also hazy so difficult to get a clear picture. The balloon ride however was fantastic, it was nothing like any of us expected. We went up about 100 metres and just stayed there being held in place by a steel cable that was tethered to the ground. After 10 mins we were slowly hauled back down. It was a great experience. This afternoon we head to Angkor Watt, it is very hot and we will need a shower when we get back. The shower is cool, it is lined in a marble type surface and has a bench you can sit on when under the shower. Very civilised. 

Forgot to mention at happy hour last night Ann had two Singapore Slings while in the elephant bar at Raffles!