Cambodia 2020 - 32. Good Bye Siem Reap

32. Good Bye Siem Reap

Inside Dining Room Set For Dinner

We were blessed on our trip to Siem Reap. Life here ran its normal course. Hotels vied to find clients, tuk-tuk drivers asked everyone if they needed a ride. Beggars

Chanda, GM and Handyman

had their hands out and small shop owners were open for business at all times.

We were well taken care of at the Anusa Hotel; I need to thank special people of the staff. Ana was the most helpful to us; she was the gal to go to if you needed something. Unfortunately we have no pictures of Ana.  

Phalla (L) and Her Sister Sam (R)

Chanda was the all around man, who brought his wife and his 2 children to the hotel once in a while. Chanda’s wife Phalla spoke English very well. She and her Sister Sam seem to be the main share holders of this hotel. They were not poor. They ran the hotel behind the scenes.

Kunthea Always Working Hard

We had daily interactions with Kunthea, who ran the bar, ran the dining area at the bar; a young woman, smart and on the way up. She was only 18 years old but she will go places.

Seyma

Then there was Seyma at reception, so soft and well-spoken, so polite and gentle. She was like a shadow, always there, always smiling.

Panna

Pana served us in the dining room, when we ate there.

Kunthea (L) In Her Work Area, The Bar. Vannit (R) Helping Out

And lastly Vannit, she is new to the hotel, very young and trying hard.

There was also the room crew, the people who made the beds, cleaned up after us. I saw mostly 3 people working in a group; they were good, efficient and thorough.

The cooks did a great job. Interesting and tasty Cambodian dishes as well as North American fare if we wanted it. We were often asked if there was anything we wanted that was not on the menu because they would get and prepare whatever we wanted.

Mr. Touch - Our Tuk Tuk Driver
With His Khmer Scarf

So to all the staff, thank you very much!

Ah yes, thank you Mr. Touch #2, you are a good man.

We had a few days of loafing, reading, checking notes, arranging for the car to the airport (Chanda took us in the end) and packing our stuff.

In the Lobby, Siem Reap Airport

All of our steps back to Toronto went smoothly, including waiting at the airport in Siem Reap, the layover in Hong Kong and the arrival in Toronto.

Our Cathay Dragon Plane

Khmer Scarves Given to Us By Ana

 

Arriving Hong Kong

We were a little concerned about the Covid-19 virus news. We took care to not be too close to other passengers but inside a plane this cannot be helped. As luck would have it, we had 2 asses behind our seat. The plane was not that full but we had a cougher behind us. No he did not even cover his mouth. Yes, he talked incessantly to a young woman next to him and his pick up lines were terrible.

Leaving Hong Kong In the Rain

Not good news to have one of ‘those’ behind you inside a plane.

When we arrived in Toronto, we again, avoided close contact with people. As soon as we entered the house we washed our hands, locked the doors and put ourselves on a 14 day self-quarantine. We did not go out at all, saw nobody, just used the internet to let all know we were ok.

Coming Home to Snow

And… we are still ok; we have no symptoms, no fever and no complaints.

We are, like I said at the beginning…blessed.

We had a great time in Cambodia. We learned a lot, we would go back if we had to… but AFTER this pandemic is under control… which does not look promising as I write this.

Stay tuned for further blogs … if we ever get to travel again…