It took 24 hours to travel from home to Cambodia, door to door. Our first stop was Siem Reap, which is the tourist centre of Cambodia and is in the North West of the country (or top left for those not geographically minded). A few facts and figures: Cambodia is bigger than England, but smaller than the UK. It has a population of 14.7 million (as compared to 63m in the UK). It is in South East Asia, is wholly within the tropics and bordered by Vietnam, Thailand and Laos and has a small coastline. Why Cambodia? I hadn't been to South East Asia before and Cambodia seemed to be blossoming on the tourist map but not yet mainstream. I like my trips to be one part pioneering spirit to one part curiosity, but relaxed and untroubled with a hint of indulgence. Hence the term 'POSHPACKER':
a backpacker in spirit but not happy without a few home comforts and western luxuries. I travelled with Richard (my husband) and our good friends Louise & Ian.
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| Massage Room in the River Garden Hotel |
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| The newcomers on their first night |
The River Garden hotel was recommended by one of Ian's colleagues, and what a little gem it is. Describing itself as a ' stylish, traditional Khmer guesthouse', it has a friendly atmosphere, pretty gardens and a comfortable place to rest our weary bones, so we didn't move beyond the hotel all day. We lounged by the pool, cooled off in the air-conditioned room, had little drinkies in the bar and dined on tasty food in the cosy restaurant. In fact, we performed a very good impression of lizards.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
- Rich: Great hotel. Service with a smile. Not unlike the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
- Louise: Peaceful oasis amongst the dust and hurly burly outside. A glass of wine, good friends and surrounded by exotic flora - I'm not complaining.
- Ian: Poor country, nice people, making the best they can of life.
- Jackie: I can't slow down! The hotel is a beaut but outside there's a lot of smelly rubbish alongside exotic greenery. It's a different world to home.
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