Day 11, Summer in Asia ~ from Bangkok to Cambodia
As Thai visitors we are gifted 30 days but need to use them later when Madi does her medical week at the hospital, so we couldn’t stay in Bangkok. Instead, we hopped a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, a place I’ve wanted to see for probably twenty years. As we start returning to airports in this part of the world repeatedly, they’re becoming familiar to us, like the one here in Bangkok. You remember the food you liked, where you can best grab a nap, who has the yummiest ice cream, best coffee. Good ramen is the best airport comfort food that exists, and it makes you forget you’re tired, disheveled and haven’t slept horizontally for a few moons. The Thai people and customs are friendly and helpful, and as a traveler, we never take that for granted. What a huge difference when a culture is smile oriented, just makes you feel fuzzy and appreciated.
While the rest of us had ramen and dumplings, Madi had mango sticky rice (without the rice). At the Dairy Queen they offered a mango sticky rice sundae. We’ll have to try that when we come back.
Although we were connecting to a different international flight, in Bangkok they require you to do immigration, exit, and re-enter. Then the older two girls and Paul grabbed a nap on chairs while Cali and I tagteam-babysat the 7 devices at the charging station. The charging brick is our new travel bff, the thing we can’t live without.
We flew a short 45 minute hop on Thai Smile to land in Siem Reap. We each took advantage of having a whole row to ourselves and the girls knocked out. The little supper box came wrapped in a cute little cloth bag in picnic plaid with a drawstring. I kept the cute bags, perfect for shoes. We landed at 8 in the evening. Our plane was parked out on the tarmac and I waited for that new country smell to hit me, because just like every home, every country has a smell. I stepped out of the plane, onto the stairs. and took a deep breath and there is was, a gust of Cambodia. My brain is full of smell memories, they’re some of my most vivid connections to places we’ve been.
Rarely do travelers still get to walk across the tarmac to get from plane to airport, it’s a rare treat. No exit tubes or packed buses, just walking at your own pace, opening a door, and stepping into the next little adventure. The airport was a huge open room with guys behind dark wooden desks. No lines, just lots of people working–a contrast to Doha where a room of us waited in line for two hours to be processed by three people. The Visa on Arrival went smoothly as did finding the guy who was there to pick us up from the hotel. Here we are filling out visa forms.New vehicle alert–this was our first time in a brand of tuk made up of a scooter plus people cart called a remorque. Double the space and fits all five of us snugly, traditional tuk only better.
Cambodia is ninety percent Buddhist. Perhaps it’s my Buddhist heritage that makes me extra fascinated with all things Buddha. When we pulled up to the hotel we were welcomed by a large gold one. We walked past the shoe drop area and noticed that people don’t wear slippers, everyone’s in bare feet. I already love it here.
The front of the hotel had a huge gate and a gold Buddha welcomed us. Love it already.
We had the smiliest, friendliest, giggliest front desk man check us in. I liked his bubbly personality immediately when he said, “If you don’t enjoy the rooftop pool and restaurant, then shame on you!”
He showed us to a room with six single beds in a row that reminded me of the Madeline books. Here are the gratis items.
Even though it was 9 pm Thursday and we hadn’t slept in a bed since Monday night, we wanted food. Paul’s travel superpower is booking amazing little gems online, specializing in river/ocean views and rooftop amenities. The key he says, is to look only at 8.0 guest ratings and above, and invest the time to comb through as many reviews as you can. Once again, he outdid himself.
The rooftop. This rooftop is like a little jungle oasis with a pool, tiki bar, traditional restaurant rolled into one. With views of the city you can swim, enjoy meals, just hang out in the breeze. As far as cities go, it’s remarkably quiet. You hear birds, no horns, occasional hammering in the distance, uniquely quiet.
Even post travel grungey, it was a wonderful meal, doing what our family loves the most, in a new place, talking, laughing, just enjoying the moment in a new, undiscovered place. The food was amazing, 5 meals, appetizer, drinks, all for $21–crazy, right? That included Madi’s steak skewers, beer, spring rolls. Wow, so affordable for such a delicious spread.
We’ve only been in Cambodia for a few hours, but I already know I like it here.