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| Designed for washing in minimum water |
4 Rivers is billed as an eco lodge, with waste kept to a minimum and local people partners in the venture. We were sad to hear that the energy is no longer solar powered as the massive (Chinese) batteries are not working. Richard and Ian gave the manager a hard time on this topic but I think he held his own. He explained that his main eco credential is that he could pack up the whole resort in 2 days and it would be as though it had never been there. I was happy to do my bit to promote eco tourism - hey, the shower was even quite fun! Louise and Ian discussed their bug problem with him and luckily that was resolved.
The main attraction is nature's beauty - whether that is fishing off the jetty, out on a boat or trekking into the jungle. Richard and Louise would have liked to do the spiders and snakes walk (ugh) but it has to be done very early morning and we didn't have any of those left.
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| A perfect moment of simple pleasure |
Louise and I decided to chance our luck in a kayak and one of the staff recommended we both go in one boat, which not only gave us maximum rowing effort but afforded a sweet bonding moment. I was dead worried that I would topple the thing over as I boarded but all was well. We circumnavigated the island in the river opposite the resort and by the time we reached the far side we were adrift from civilisation and our normal reality. It was a thrilling moment when I simply felt in awe of our planet. The fine weather lasted long enough for us to get safely back to shore before the drama of another tropical storm. Louise swam home whilst the heavens opened. Just imagine how I felt being trapped in the restaurant tent, with only Ian and the bar for company.
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| Richard finds a mate for the sunset cruise |
We booked a sunset cruise along River Tatai. A simple boat, warm ocean breeze, a private tour just for us, two delightful local lads and a bottle of wine - a recipe for paradise. We got the chance to take a close look at the lush green forest and the unspoilt coastal mangroves. Richard and his new friend chat away happily about how everyone starved during the days of the the Khmer Rouge and yes, they did eat the beating heart of a just dead cobra. And anything else they could possibly find.We dropped anchor at a small sandbank and prepared for sunset. Wine was carried ashore and this is the moment, as specified in the itinerary, when 'you can snuggle up with your loved one for a romantic moment'. So, Richard goes off for a fag and finds an otter, which Ian is keen to photograph. Oh well, Louise can be my loved one then.
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| The captain's table |
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| I'm trying to do a Joanna Lumley |
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| Another Moment with Louise |
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| The sun sets on our tour of Cambodia |
MARKS OUTTA TEN
Ian: Best bits were the Sunset Cruise and nice staff. Seeing Richard 'flying' (as per Titanic) with the cabin boy was an interesting moment. Bad bit: having to book airline seats to go home, which was bad enough, but on a 2 inch screen using very narrow bandwidth (but I did it). 7/10
Louise: Best Bits: Kayaking and the Sunset Cruise. Swimming in the storm was exciting. 8/10
Richard: Sunset Cruise and Thunderstorm was the best. 8/10
Jackie: Kayaking was brilliant and the Sunset Cruise was the most fitting finale. 9/10
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