Well Hello, Phnom Penh
We’re in Cambodia! Two days ago, we left our rented house in Hoi An at 11:30 11:45 (we had to ask the taxi go back because we forgot our snack bag) and made our way to Da Nang airport. We got on a Jetstar plane for the supreme business that is Ho Chi Minh City.
We spent Another night at the Chau Long Hotel where we’d hoped to get a warm reception since we stayed there for three weeks, but the woman was as dry as toast–we didn’t take it too personal since we had witnessed her attitude towards others, but some sort of recognition, or “oh, you’re still in Vietnam?” would have gone a long way. Abraham now has a running list of the things he would do and not do when we have our own B&B someday.
The next morning, we got on the 8:30 Cat Mekong Express bus –which was actually a fun ride. The bus was clean, the seats were comfortable enough, and we were given snacks from ABC bakery. The attendant was exceptionally cool the entire time, and he helped all the passengers with communicating and getting Cambodian visas when we reached the border.
There was a brief stop for lunch, and 7 hours after we left Ho Chi Minh, we were in the heart of Phnom Penh checking into our hotel. As soon as we dropped our bags, we set out to get our visa extensions for Vietnam, which is a big part of the reason for this border crossing. We went riverside to get some happy pizza (yes, happy) and spent over an hour hawking inside an actual grocery store; as in refrigerated meat in plastic wrap, aisles and selections, and fridges and freezers full of items. Luxury! If only there was such a market in Hoi An.
The Tea house hotel is posh and easy on the eyes–colorful with a bright orange & green palette, lots and lots of foliage, a swimming pool and a killer free breakfast. From our room is an interesting view of people’s roofs & windows. I love it. So glad we’ll be here for a few days.
Today we’re heading out to the Killing Fields Memorial Site, I’ve read plenty about it and don’t really know how I’ll feel when we get there. I suppose I’ll find out soon enough.