Our trip to the temples and Siem Reap was now at its end.  The hospitality showed to us at check-out from the Golden Temple Hotel didn’t disappoint.  More gifts were given — free t-shirts — and they requested that we have our photograph taken with the reception staff.  In summary, our stay there was certainly one of the highlights of the vacation.

We had a short flight from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh — forty minutes total in the air.  Shortly after take off, the Captain came over the overhead speaker with a very confident, slightly Irish(?) accent and announced the usual announcements.  Time of arrival, 12:25 p.m.  Temperature in PP, 31 degrees.  Significant weather, none.  Oh, and the co-pilot will be taking over the controls as he will be doing the paperwork.  Wait… what?  Honestly, that is first time I’ve ever heard that.  Regardless, with an absolutely perfect flare, that was the smoothest landing we’d ever experienced.

Upon arrival, we procured a taxi to take us the hotel.  The driver, nick-named Sva (Khmer for monkey) spoke better English than many back in the U.S.  He was eager to get the fare, but was also getting hungry.  Our response, “let’s stop and grab some lunch.”  Sva’s reply, “Well, I would get street food.  It’s good for me, but probably not for you.  Not too clean.”  A friendly man, and well spoken, he was able to give some different insight on what we were seeing and what we were going to see.

Having stayed in one of the finest resorts and then in the most hospitable hotel, our expectations for our hotel in PP weren’t that high.  We were kind of expecting a let down.  Wow!  Were we wrong.  400 sqft of space to spread out in with 2 air conditioners!  And the location, was about perfect.

We had a late lunch of green curry pork and pad thai at a restaurant on the corner — outside seating for better people watching.  Beth also got a mai tai.

That night we had opted to walk the riverfront on the street in front of the hotel.  The area was whirlwind of activity.  As it turns out, every night after sunset many people come down to the riverfront park and in front of the Royal Palace to pray, meditate and congregate with others.  To me, it just looked like a lot of people waiting for a fireworks show or a parade.  Vendors sold snacks and beverages.  People sold lotus flowers, incense to burn and small birds that you could purchase and release for good luck.  There was also an area where 15 or 20 tables were set out where you might find an old psychic lady to read your fortune.

Have bar, will travel.

The location of our hotel was fantastic for simply watching the world cruise by.  Beth spent some time on the balcony snapping  candid pics of anything that looked of interest.  The following photos were some of the best.