Our last morning on the island began with high hopes. Having witnessed our neighbor enjoying a hearty breakfast of muesli and yogurt yesterday, I decided to inquire if the same could be arranged for me. Although not listed on the standard menu, the resort staff were more than willing to accommodate my request. So, I asked for a bowl of muesli and yogurt with fruit. And a pancake. After a brief moment of contemplation about my pancake toppings, I settled for honey. Much to Scott's dismay, who firmly believes pancakes are only served with maple syrup during lean times and with maple syrup, butter, and bacon during the golden ones. My muesli bowl arrived. It was a sight to behold – a mountain of finely chopped fruit atop a sprinkling of muesli and two spoonfuls of yogurt. Delightful nevertheless!
Our bags were lighter this time around because I had gifted my lemon-scented (or rather, Ajax-scented, as the cleaning supplies had seemingly leaked in the factory) lotion to a local child, who promptly dragged it into the sea.
The resort ferried us to the pier where our speedboat was supposed to depart at 9:30 a.m. What wasn't there at 9:30 a.m.? The speedboat. Nor at 10:30 a.m., for that matter, as we were informed it had broken down and a replacement boat was en route via the neighboring island. Each time we inquired, we were assured the boat would arrive in 10 minutes. It finally did, and 45 minutes later, we set foot on Sihanoukville's shores. With just an hour and a half until our flight departure, we were cutting it close.
Our taxi pulled up at the airport gate half an hour later, and the driver gestured towards the terminal while repeatedly saying "Wonderland" and "Wonderland" (or so we thought). Perplexed as to why he was speaking to us about Wonderland, especially considering the airport's modest operations – four flights a day, two inbound and two outbound – we assumed he was hinting at an additional fee to enter Wonderland and declined. Little did we know, he was actually saying "One Dollar" – a crucial piece of information we only realized after a comical exchange with the security guard. Turns out, we had to pay a dollar for parking. Since we were prepared to walk the hundred meters, we refused to pay, explained our predicament to the security guard, and were allowed entry to the terminal.
Upon arriving in Siem Reap, we were greeted with a new and grandiose airport situated an hour away from the city. We hailed a taxi, and the lady at the wheel seemed like she was still getting the hang of driving. Observing her hands placed firmly at 10 and 2, she confidently cruised at 60 in an 80 zone, prolonging our journey to the hotel by many-many minutes. Yet, this was still an improvement from our Saigon escapade, where our driver, clearly a novice behind the wheel, brought traffic to a standstill multiple times because he refused to change lanes until there wasn't a car in sight. He just stood there in the middle of the road, turn signal blinking, waiting. And waiting. Like waiting for Godot.
Upon arrival at the hotel, our passports were collected, and we were greeted with refreshing mint-scented moist towels, fruit platters, and iced tea – a warm welcome indeed. As we finished the fruit, the check-in process was complete, and a lady approached us with our documents. Thus ensued the following conversation:
Khmer lady: Your passports, thank you!
Us: Thank you!
Khmer lady: Here is your bill, 600.000 riels, thank you!
Me: Yes, thank you!
Khmer lady: Please sign here, thank you!
I signed.
Khmer lady: Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., thank you! We also have a rooftop pool, open until 10 p.m., thank you!
Me: Thank you!
Khmer lady (while showing us different denominations of U.S. dollars): And now, the most important information, thank you! In Cambodia, both dollars and riels are accepted, thank you!
Meanwhile Scott: Thank you!
Khmer lady continuing: But for dollars, it's important that they have this design, not the old versions, and certainly not crumpled, torn, or otherwise tattered, thank you!
Me: Got it, thank you!
Khmer lady: Your room is on the fourth floor, thank you!
Me: Thank you!
Scott: Thank you!
Khmer lady: You will now be escorted to your room, thank you!
Both of us: Thank you!
Khmer lady: Thank you!
Scott: Thank you!
I tried so hard not to laugh.
All our rooms on this trip have featured large windows or glass doors in the bathroom, and this one is no exception :)
After changing, we went out to grab a bite and search for Starbucks. Right next to the hotel, we found a variety of markets and streets filled with restaurants and pubs. Since our plan was to focus on the night market and its offerings, we grabbed a quick snack and headed to Starbucks. To my dismay, they had a wider selection of cups than I would've liked (I already had two from Vietnam, and there are still Thailand and Bangkok to look forward to), and I spent a good fifteen minutes choosing the perfect ones. We sipped on coffee (me) and chocolate (Scott), and I learned how my name is spelled in Khmer (see picture).
Our hotel rooftop offers a stunning sunset view, which we enjoyed before taking a quick dip in the pool.
In the evening, we headed straight to the night market, and I started with a banana Nutella roti. Absolutely delicious! Scott bought Taiwanese fried chicken from a Japanese lady's cart (the best chicken he's ever had!), and while it cooled down, I got myself some ice cream rolls. Before heading back, we each grabbed another roti – Scott's with Nutella and chocolate, and mine with condensed milk. After that, I was completely exhausted, and we just went back to the hotel.
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