Moving Day

Wednesday was time to leave Siem Reap for the long drive to Kampong Cham to join our cruise on the Mekong. The first hiccup was confusion over buses and then after joining the highway, someone realised that they had left their passports in the room safe.

The “highway” proved to be a single lane road with houses and businesses lining the whole route. Closer to our destination it became a muddy mess with lots of roadworks.

it was a joy to see our boat and to be welcomed to our beautiful Victoria Mekong for the next week. The cabin is lovely and people quickly found the welcoming lounge bar for a few drinks before a buffet dinner. Our little group is very happy.

 Day two started after zero sleep through stomach cramps that kept me awake all night due to late dinner of pizza. Big mistake!

The itinerary was visits to Angkor Wat and other temple sites, so we were determined to do it despite feeling off. It’s wat we came here for.

First was the famous Angkor Wat that was over a huge site once crossing the surrounding moat. I was found to be searching for places to get shade and rest through the day after no rest or food. An incredible site nonetheless.

After lunch (little for me) we preceded to another (Temple of Doom) site that proved even more interesting as it was extensive, but overgrown by jungle and huge Fig trees. Many of us then opted to return to the hotel rather than visit Angkor Thom. Stamina gone in the heat and humidity.

Joys of flying

 Our Sunday flight to Siem Reap involved being at the airport at 7.00am, so I booked a room at the Novotel opposite the airport. Kate and Brontë dropped us in on Saturday evening and we met Glenys at the Rowers Club for dinner. All good so far…

Sunday morning checkin and getting through departure procedures was a slow and anxiety inducing start. The airport was as busy as we’ve ever seen it. ..note to self - choose a different time to fly than Sunday morning.

While the flights to Ho Chi Minh City was pleasant enough with Vietnam airlines down the back in cattle class, the 1 hour between arriving and the connecting flight to Siem Reap looked touchy as we were bused from a long way out after a slightly delayed landing. It proved to be ample time as we sat in the departure lounge.

Issues with the aircraft and a long bus ride out to the plane meant we were two hours late arriving at the new Sien Reap airport. Further frustration was heaped on as we waited in a bus while our tour guide looked for two passengers due to join our group. The result was us being over 3 hours late in getting to our hotel with no dinner.

Glenys ordered room service pizzas that were delivered after midnight (3am at home) that gave your correspondent severe stomach cramps all night. I’m thinking tomorrow might be lost.

Mekong RIver trip coming

While attempting to recover from Covid again, we finally have tickets, bookings and paperwork for out tour of Cambodia and Vietnam. The highlight will be a 7 day cruise down the mighty Mekong.

Katie and Brontë took us to the airport where we stayed the night at the Novotel and met Glenys for dinner at the Rowers Club nearby. Early morning flights on Vietnam Airlines to Saigon and on to Siem Reap.

I hope that this new Blogger software will work to chronicle the adventures.

Finishing in Paris

 Our final five nights  in Paris were spent wandering the streets from our comfortable hotel in the Sorbonne area. Short walks to St Germain, the islands and to see the progress on Notre Dame Cathedral.

Olympic preparations were well under way with some iconic areas fenced off for temporary grandstands. It was a little disappointing to be unable to see some of our favourite places.

We managed to eat at three of our favourite restaurants, however, and were very pleased that they were still operating, and still very good. L'Orangerie, L'Apibo and Petit Marche consistently good in our 3-4 visits to each.

A trip to Pais is not complete without returning to our favourite art gallery in Musee D'Orsay where a special exhibition on the birth of Impressionism was underway. Unfortunately the crowds were a little overwhelming to get a full appreciation.

Our flight home involved a 14 hour stopover in Saigon that was relieved by Vietnam airlines providing our visas, a tour, hotel, transfers and meals will we waited. The flight home was uncrowded for a relaxed flight.

Saint Malo

 Our next five days was in a lovely apartment overlooking a bay just south of Saint Malo's walled city. We loved sitting near the window watching the enormous fluctuations of the tide and the dauly activity. Free parking outside meant we did little driving, but we managed outings to the fascinating old city of Dinan and the oyster and seafood town of Cancale.

We had a great seafood meal tasting the famous oysters, as we watched tractors hauling loads of oysters up from the beac in Cancale. We also took the ferry across the bay from St Malo to Dinard, where there were beautiful mansions from the Victorian era.

Sandra and I were able to prepare seafood meals in the best equipped kitchen so far. The only drawback is that Gail and I again got the second best room near a bar that was too popular by half.

Loire Valley

 Our next five days were booked into Maison Gaspard in the heart of Saumur. A drive past some chateau and a lunch stop had us at the apartment to discover we had been swapped rooms. After a somewhat heated discussion with the lady manager we tried to make do. Visited the impressive cahteau on the hill above and enjoyed a couple of meals in the area around our inadequate apartment, but on the third day we decamped to a lovely renovated cottage near Chinon for the next three days. 

Gail and I revisited Usses and Azay de Rideau chateaux and with the Langfords enjoyed Langeias castle. Relaxing and being able to cook in our little cottage was a treat.

Heading North

 After a happy stay in Sete, we set off to drive through the centre of France to meet again with the Langfords in Bourges.

The first day was to drive across the Millau viaduct that I’ve long been interested in. It is a spectacular sight and the interpretive centre was interesting. We then drove into the Gorges du Tarn and our hotel at Le Rozier. The gorge is stunning and the hotel and its restaurant was a very welcome bit of indulgence.

The next day was to Vichy that has the mineral water springs and Belle Epoque spas. Unfortunately the central spa and park was closed for renovations. The town was classy and enjoyed both our hotel and the river parks and gardens.

Met up with the Langfords in Bourges staying close by the old part of the city. Not much opened on Sunday and Monday, but Gail and I stumbled on a major service in the cathedral with a long line of priests and bishops in procession accompanied by the church organ and choir. Quite a sight.