Read this blog: The one where we catch the wrong coach … initially
Friday 29th March 2024
From Phnom Penh we were booked to travel by GiantIbis coach to Siem Reap from where we would visit Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom – the remnants of the once great Khmer Empire. The bus was scheduled to leave at 08:45 and we had to get there at least half an hour beforehand so we had a relatively early start and booked a Grab car to take us to the coach station from the hotel.
We checked in at the departure point, were directed to take a seat in the waiting area and after a while we handed our suitcases over and boarded the bus. We had expected it to be much busier, given our destination is one of the major tourist sites in Cambodia.
Shortly before the bus was due to depart, a member of staff came running up to explain that we were on the wrong coach. Thankfully we managed to disembark and reclaim our luggage from the hold before it was too late.
The bus which would actually take us to Siem Reap was significantly busier. The journey took about six hours with two comfort breaks and a stop for lunch. We were also provided with a bottle of water and a croissant.
Once we arrived in Siem Reap, we checked into the hotel and despite the heat, set out on a walk to get our bearings.
Unsurprisingly, with Robert planning the route, this took us past Pub Street to ensure that he could find it later [see Selfie of the day].
We also saw the Art Market Pedestrian Bridge, a covered wooden construction linking the Art Market to the Old Market which is illuminated at night.
The Hard Rock Café which proved to be conveniently close by is housed in a colonial style building which must have previously been important in a different way. Matilda was delighted to find that they served Hoegaarden on draft.
Robert is counting and this is the 46th hard Rock Café he has visited. Having slaked our thirst we returned to Pub Street to drink cheaper beer and find something to eat. Although not normally a fan of cooked avocado, Matilda pronounced the deep fried avocado to be delicious. Sitting right next to the street, we found we were regularly approached by street hawkers, some of whom are children, trying to sell us what Robert likes to call ‘tourist tat’.
We checked the weather forecast for the next few days and as Saturday was due to be a few degrees cooler than Sunday we decided to visit the ancient sites of Angkor the next day. Many people get up early and go for sunrise, but we felt that we would rather have a lie in.
Selfie of the day:
Dish of the day:
Route Map:
