Descended in the elevator from the 19th floor to one of the most spectacular brunches ever. I think that only the Breakers, with its caviar bar, surpassed the bounty. Asian noodle soup (of course), congee, omelet to order, cheese bar, sautee station, cheese trays, fresh french pastries, breakfast meats and even the Indian corner, with fresh naan and curries. If you can believe it, I was so overwhelmed that I had to ask the hostess to create something for me that she thought was wonderful, and I went to sit down an await the surprise.
Airport and a quick 40 minute flight and country number 3: Cambodia. So hard to reconcile the smiling reception and jungle climate with my limited knowledge about recent history (independent from the French only since 1953, and then the killing fields of the Khmer Rouge). Valerie left the airport a bit grumpy not from this violent history, but because her suitcase had vanished, with no record in the airline computer. Missing bag report in hand, we set off in our tuk-tuk (a motorcycle with a two wheeled covered cart behind) for the Golden Banana Bed & Breakfast. We arrived and checked in, and it was evident that what Valerie read on the plane (gay friendly hotel) was indeed true. I missed it, but more than one employee was wearing pants with the word “Golden” in the spot you might suspect.
Anyway, after walking down the rubble-filled alley to our section of the hotel, we both knew we wouldn’t be planting any roots in this banana plantation. The next hour was spent investigating and calling local boutique hotels for a new place to call home. Before long, we had checked out (with the excuse our friends were staying at another hotel and we were choosing to join them) and into the Heritage Hotel and Suites, a lovely Relais & Chateaux Hotel (aaaah).
So delighted, we strolled poolside (site of cocktails and lunch later on)
and plopped into out room and relaxed for a bit before taking a tuk-tuk into town ($2) to check out a bit of the night market and eat in Il Forno (caring for Valerie’s stomach with a bit of homemade pasta and pizza).
A bit more wandering after dinner, then home again, home again, jiggedy jig. Off to bed to be ready for our 4:45 am wake-up call to get to Angkor Wat for the acclaimed sunrise spectacle.