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.