July 12th, 2014
Travel day
We had a leisurely(ish) morning as we didn’t need to head off to airport until 10:30 or so. We were actually ready a little early, so were off shortly after 10. GO ME!!!!! We asked at the desk and they said 150B for a taxi to airport or 100B for a tuk tuk, no idea on a songtao. So we decided to head off and find our own transport as these prices seemed high. Pretty sure we flagged a tuk tuk for 60 baht two years ago. Funny how when you are wanting to walk and you just wander down the road, we are continally getting honked at and asked if we want a ride. We walked all the way to the moat with all our bags before we came across a songTao. But nonetheless it was a 60baht ride, ($2 USD)so we were happy enough with that.
The flights were uneventful. Had to fly through Bangkok 😳 never a popular choice for me, but it was fine, AirAsia uses Don Muang airport so much smaller that BKK. On the second leg I sat next to an American (Kentucky) lady that lives in a village 12 miles outside of Phnom Penh. She moved there 17 years ago with her husband and 4 children all under the age of 5. They started an NGO to provide health and hygiene services, water and other services to the village. She was in Chiang Mai for meetings, but was on her way home. She was very nice and had sound very helpful tips for us! So you just never know who you might meet. 😀
She told me a ride shouldn’t cost more than $10 USD to where we needed to go. I came out and arranged a tuk tuk for $9. It was the guys opening offer, since it was less than $10 I was pleased. But Troy had a good point. We probably could have had air conditioned taxi for $10. Hahahahahahahaha oh well, the tuk tuk was more FUN!
It caused me to reminisce about the first tuk tuk ride that we had when we were here with all the kids in 2009. Traffic here is similarly crazy to Bangkok, perhaps ever more so. It was CRAZY! I shot some video….thought maybe if we got in an accident the video footage might come in handy. But the roads here are lawless, no doubt in my mind. Red lights are merely suggestions, lane markings are non existent, traffic moves in multiple directions in all lanes. It’s a total free for all. The only thing that makes sense to me is that at least they “drive on the same side as us” I use that phrase loosely as oncoming traffic travels on both sides of you when traveling down the road. If traffic gets too backed up, they just take to the sidewalks. Completely acceptable way to avert the traffic and be able to carry on your journey. It’s unbelievable.
We survived the ride. It was about 9km, but took close to 45 minutes. We got to the hotel, absolutely no way we could have found this place. But the guy drove right here. When it was time to pay, I showed him a $20 and asked if he could make change. I knew this was a stupid question, but I had a momentary lapse. His face lit up and he said “maybe you want to give me a little tip?” Hahahahahahahaha. Maybe a little tip is a dollar or two. Not eleven!! So I had ones, no problem, I got them out and counted him $10. He seemed happy enough about that. As I learned the next day, he made good money on that trip, but usually they do when taking you to or from airport. It is what it is….it is not like you have much choice in these scenarios. Same thing happens in Chiang Mai, we pay 120B to get out of the airport, but clearly can get back for 60B.
The room at the Silver River Hotel is simple but nice, this is a bigger hotel than we usually stay at (58 rooms). This bodes well for a decent breakfast. When we stay at a place with 16-25 rooms, they just have a set breakfast, but this place has many more, so they will have a buffet breakfast. I can tell as we check in because they have the serving dishes on banquet tables in the restaurant 😄😄
Got ourselves a tiny bit settled, then headed out for a walk/food hunt. My initial impressions are that I may like this place. We decide we “feel safer than Bangkok” but not as comfortable as Chiang Mai. I am shocked by the garbage accumulating in the streets. There seems to be a lot of street food, BUT none of it looks like anything I should eat. Sooooooo after we walk down the river and take some pictures…
We end up at a restaurant where I can try a dish I have been curious about Khmer Amok chicken. It is delicious! I think I have a new food love!
Troy had Indian food, I believe this was Tikka Masala butter chicken, so I think those are actually two different dishes, so maybe this was a combination of them or something? I dunno, but Troy said it was delicious, and I agree, I had a bite 😉
We hung out for a bit and I had a Vietnamese coffee (I know-I’m in Cambodia) and Troy tried their beer Angkor.
After eating, we thought we should take a walk down the promenade along the river, right at 8pm a fantastic fireworks show started. What a treat! Since we missed the 4th 😉😉
We also noticed earlier that there was a very grand building down the street with lights strung on it like it was Christmas! So we walked down to see what it was, we suspected the Royal Palace. We were right, it was indeed the Palace. And clearly there was something being celebrated. If the massive amount of traffic and people and fireworks weren’t giving it away…then the celebration going on at the palace cemented it.
We also discovered a night market. As always, loads of people, food, clothes chaos. It was a little bit rainy earlier I think so the market was all set up with tarps etc just in case it returned. But the challenging part is the average height of a Cambodian must be close to 5 feet bcz me at 5’7″ was clipping my head on pretty mush all the tarps and their supporting twine.
Found these yummy little treats….didn’t try them, but thought about it 😉
Not sure who puts them out, but the centre of the food area has all these mats that folks can sit down to eat on. Notice how everyone takes their shoes off. Seems like a good idea, unless you are the unfortunate one trying to make your way around the area and keep tripping over all the shoes scattered all over.
So if I get tired of Amok, I know I won’t starve….there is always snails….loads and loads of snails. Far and away the most common street food we see down by the river.
Or popcorn
Or if I’m in a real pinch….the lucky burger 😳
We did stop for a foot massage at the place right next door to the hotel. We felt the artwork was a good omen.
We were right….perhaps the most exceptional foot massage ever, particularly Troy’s I hear 😉 even though my girl was in a black cocktail dress…. We did get the answer to what everyone was celebrating. It was the anniversary of the old king’s death. They celebrate it every year. Big day for sure. I love counties with monarchies. ❤️
