Life doesn't get any better than being picked up at the airport in a 1950 Mercedes Benz. It was waiting for us with smiles, cold lemon grass, washcloths and ice water. If you have never experienced an Aman resort put it on your wish list. All staff members work together like a family. Your needs are anticipated before you know what you want. The magic happens as you are inspired to just relax. The hotel is located only 15 minutes from the airport. There is minimalist architecture designed to complement the hotel's natural settings. There are no lobbies, bellboys or reception desks in order to create the impression of privacy. There are only 24 rooms with a staff to client ratio of 4 to 1. Room number 18 is the best because in the corner is a private plunge pool. The room is laid out to accomodate your every wish. The Amansara arranges, for your pleasure, the outings to Ankgor Wat. From the moment we arrived with there were gracious smiles and desires to please. We were transported to a time of yesteryears. Service is the ultimate here. Surprises ranged from the welcoming snack of fresh made spring rolls, with ice lemon soda, to the anniversary cake presented by all staff members. We had our programs of sight seeing arranged by Amansara. They served a light breakfast of our choice to go with our 4;30 AM wake up call. We then were treated to a sunrise tour of Ankor Wat, and our tuk tuk driver and guide took us to the east entrance. As we walked the path and made the turn, it was almost like we discovered this amazing site ourselves. Our guide, Mr. Ly Sarith, knew by starting at the east we would avoid the crowds. As we walked to the temple it was the perfect spot to watch the day begin, hear the sounds, and just zen out with our thoughts. While all the tourists were on the West side we had this amazing temple to ourselves. Again, this is the Aman way of doing things. After returning to the hotel breakfast of our choice it was time to go to the spa. We will have a chance to go out to Bayan Temple at 3:00 PM today.
Can you say I do not want to leave? Yes, and I just did!!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Phnom Penh
We arrived in Bangkok, and can't remember if we slept. The Novetel Hotel at the airport is a hidden treasure. The room, staff, and location for our early morning flight made it very easy to get up and go.
We arrived in Phnom Penh and was greeted by Khol our onsite from Trails of Indochina. With a warm and welcoming smile and a huge sign with my name (spelled wrong) and Jerome's (correct) we went straight to the Killing Fields.
It's a strange feeling as you walk the fields. You can see the human bones you are walking on. The graves are marked where 1,000's of people were tortured and disposed of. 2 Million people lost their lives, and the reality is most were highly educated.
I don't know if it was the heat, the feelings we felt, but I found it completely bizarre that the monument containing 9,000 skulls had a welcome mat. They are redoing the killing fields, making it more commercial, and the shrine will be coming down in 2 years.
On to S21 the Genocide Museum the old High School. It was almost like visiting a concentration camp.
The Royal Palce is compared to Bangkok's Royal Palace. The gold, diamonds, silver and the emerald Buddah. Total amazement. Have to remind our clients to wear sandals. You are always taking shoes off. The National Museum is extremely interesting, but needs air conditioning. To hot to really enjoy.
The Raffles hotel Le Royal. What can't you say about it. You are walking in history. Just make sure you do not get a room on the street side.
The Russian market and the central market. Shop shop shop. Ok in fact I need to go shop some more.
Just want you to know, Jerome and I still do not agree on how to take a picture, but we do agree it is what we bring back and share that is important.
12 October we are on to Siem Reap.
We arrived in Phnom Penh and was greeted by Khol our onsite from Trails of Indochina. With a warm and welcoming smile and a huge sign with my name (spelled wrong) and Jerome's (correct) we went straight to the Killing Fields.
It's a strange feeling as you walk the fields. You can see the human bones you are walking on. The graves are marked where 1,000's of people were tortured and disposed of. 2 Million people lost their lives, and the reality is most were highly educated.
I don't know if it was the heat, the feelings we felt, but I found it completely bizarre that the monument containing 9,000 skulls had a welcome mat. They are redoing the killing fields, making it more commercial, and the shrine will be coming down in 2 years.
On to S21 the Genocide Museum the old High School. It was almost like visiting a concentration camp.
The Royal Palce is compared to Bangkok's Royal Palace. The gold, diamonds, silver and the emerald Buddah. Total amazement. Have to remind our clients to wear sandals. You are always taking shoes off. The National Museum is extremely interesting, but needs air conditioning. To hot to really enjoy.
The Raffles hotel Le Royal. What can't you say about it. You are walking in history. Just make sure you do not get a room on the street side.
The Russian market and the central market. Shop shop shop. Ok in fact I need to go shop some more.
Just want you to know, Jerome and I still do not agree on how to take a picture, but we do agree it is what we bring back and share that is important.
12 October we are on to Siem Reap.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
3/4 of the way there
Great flights from Ft. Lauderdale to Japan. Our international flight was empty and service was great. Movie selection boring but I went right to sleep. I am very surprised at the temperature at the Narita Airport. We can't stop sweating. Even in the Admirals Club it is hot. The new American Airlines club at Narita is very nice and don't forget if you are platinum with American Express you get in free.
It's great we live in the world of communications. My onsite tour operator forgot to send the etickets for our Cambodia flight early in the morning. With text, email, and Mobile phones that work all over the world mistakes get taken care of asap.
Time to go board our flight to Bangkok, we get to sleep 4 hours then off to Cambodia where our adventure will begin.
Arlene and Jerome
It's great we live in the world of communications. My onsite tour operator forgot to send the etickets for our Cambodia flight early in the morning. With text, email, and Mobile phones that work all over the world mistakes get taken care of asap.
Time to go board our flight to Bangkok, we get to sleep 4 hours then off to Cambodia where our adventure will begin.
Arlene and Jerome
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Will we make it to 34 years of wedded bliss?
For the next 18 days, I will have the opportunity to experience Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. My husband and I will be celebrating 33 years of marriage on this journey. The question is will we survive to 34 years? We are complete opposites and when we travel it is apparent.
Let’s start with the flights. We will be going Ft. Lauderdale, Dallas, Japan, Bangkok, get in at midnight sleep at a hotel at the airport, take a 7:30am flight to Cambodia. When booking the tickets 6 months ago it was fine. Tonight it was are you nuts? Why would you have us do this? What were you thinking? See my point?
Anyways with that behind us we both started to pack. Jerome was finished in 10 minutes. Grab the clothes, throw them in done. One hour later I am not sure if I am ready to zip up. One of my favorite packing ideas. Put a layer of bubble wrap down then a layer of clothes, more bubble wrap. You will find the wrap helps with the wrinkles, if your luggage gets transferred in the rain it is protected, but the number one reason is when you shop and want that item and there is nothing to wrap it up with you can go ahead and get it cause your bubble wrap is waiting for you. Now how will you get the item home? I am in love with the giant zip lock bags. Carry a few with you. Dirty clothes, items you want to take on the plane. They are the best!
I hope you will enjoy our tales and I look forward to your input, questions, and comments.
Arlene and Jerome
Let’s start with the flights. We will be going Ft. Lauderdale, Dallas, Japan, Bangkok, get in at midnight sleep at a hotel at the airport, take a 7:30am flight to Cambodia. When booking the tickets 6 months ago it was fine. Tonight it was are you nuts? Why would you have us do this? What were you thinking? See my point?
Anyways with that behind us we both started to pack. Jerome was finished in 10 minutes. Grab the clothes, throw them in done. One hour later I am not sure if I am ready to zip up. One of my favorite packing ideas. Put a layer of bubble wrap down then a layer of clothes, more bubble wrap. You will find the wrap helps with the wrinkles, if your luggage gets transferred in the rain it is protected, but the number one reason is when you shop and want that item and there is nothing to wrap it up with you can go ahead and get it cause your bubble wrap is waiting for you. Now how will you get the item home? I am in love with the giant zip lock bags. Carry a few with you. Dirty clothes, items you want to take on the plane. They are the best!
I hope you will enjoy our tales and I look forward to your input, questions, and comments.
Arlene and Jerome
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