Review and reflections of the Phnom Penh to Bangkok Tour

While in bed on the final night, I reflect on the entire Phnom Penh to Bangkok tour. The places I’ve been so far have been very eye-opening and while my health has been fine thus far, it has only been adversely affected in Bangkok, presumably due to the smog.

As I think about the tour, I’m pleased to have met so many wonderful, great and interesting people. So understandably, I’m a little sad to have bid farewell to them all.

Accommodation

- The Mittapheap Hotel, Phnom Penh – below average

Beds were soft, rooms were dimly lit and a little dingy, bathroom was small and mouldy in places. Free, but poor internet connection. Unhelpful staff who spoke limited English. Breakfast was average.

- The Soria Moria, Siem Riep – well above average

Beds were hard, and the rooms had plenty of access to natural light. Bathroom was spacious and clean. Free wireless internet connection with good signal strength. Has a rooftop bar and helpful staff who spoke excellent English. While the breakfast was tasty, the service was below average.

- The Residence Rajtaewee, Bangkok – average

Beds were soft and the rooms had windows which wouldn’t open. Bathroom was crammed and the basin was coming apart from the wall, Internet connection was not free. Breakfast was above average.

- The Grand Watergate, Bangkok – above average

Beds are firm, but not hard and the room had plenty of light. Bathroom was not spacious, but was clean. Internet connection was not free. Breakfast was above average. Only thing about this hotel is that it is tucked down the back alleys and getting to it at night can be a little confronting.

Tour Guides

- Phnom Penh to Thai border, T – average.

Joked a lot, English was average, but was a little hard to understand when he was explaining history of the temples. A little disorganized, but was passionate. I suspect he got kickbacks along the way. Used our tip kitty money up very quickly.

- Thai border to Bangkok, Al – average

Joked a lot and his English was above average. There was no tour briefing on the way to Bangkok and seemed very disorganized as plans seemed to be made on the fly. Was very helpful if you needed him to book something and followed things through to conclusion, like calling me to make sure I got picked up by the tour company. Although I think he got a few kickbacks along the way.

Sights

Definitely the main attraction was Angkor Wat and the surrounding complex. Would have liked to spend a few more organized tour days in Phnom Penh and in Bangkok.

Transport

- Chartered bus – Phnom Penh to Siem Riep

Average bus, equipped with TV and VCD player but not very comfortable. Roads were bumpy along the way.

- Chartered bus – Siem Riep to Thailand border

Poor bus with very little suspension or air conditioning. Roads were very bumpy along the way.

- Chartered bus – Thailand border to Bangkok

Sensational bus equipped with TV/DVD/VCD players. Air conditioning worked well, and the roads were not bumpy. Probably helps that the roads in Bangkok are sealed, and made from asphalt.

People

• Alain from Vancouver
A rude French Canadian fellow who either didn’t understand how to work within a team, or chose to ignore the plans for the day, opting to visit ‘whore houses’ as he put it. I really don’t understand why he joined the tour seeing as we saw very little of him.

• Allen also Vancouver;
A software engineer for Boeing, poor Allen was stuck with Alain as his roommate. Allen must have a pretty strong constitution and is obviously able to tolerate all sorts of people. Allen seemed really nice and partook in many of the group activities and adventures.

• Ashley (my roommate) a Melbourne expat living in London;
A travel agent for Flight Centre, Ashley is a gay vegan who will be best known for asking someone to taste-test his food for ‘fish-oil’. As his roommate, I copped a lot of the gay-partner jokes, especially when Ashley said things like “did anyone hear the jackhammer last night?” Towards the end of the tour, Ashley got a little too close and friendly with a few of the group members, groping, touching and slapping them inappropriately. His snide “at least we found a use for you” comments were not appreciated by many of the group.

• Deanne and Laura from Sydney;
Deanne the Cop (ahem, Police Officer) and Laura the science-academic Army girl have both known each other for since they were little. As good friends often do, they relied on each other and would often finish each other’s sentences off; which prompted the rumour they were lesbians. Given that they had traveled extensively together, I Fruedian slipped when I asked how long they had been “partners” as opposed to “travellers” (which is what I really meant).

These girls were simply fantastic as they provided the group with much needed entertainment and enthusiasm. Whether it be their perfect renditions of ‘The Castle’ or “Forrest Gump’, these girls were grounded as they motivated and encouraged others to venture outside of their comfort zones, especially places like orphanages.

Incredibly helpful with travel advice, these girls are an amazing source of travel information. Pity, they don’t wear their hair out more often.

• Hayley and Justin from Brisbane;
A young couple, Hayley a property consultant and Justin a Big W store manager have also traveled extensively and are also a wealth of information. Both are like-minded as they too have investments in the property market. You can tell these two are thinkers as they analyse and digest all that goes on around them.

They are an unmistakable pair: Justin the tall broad-shouldered bloke with Hayley, the petite blonde with a brain. Both are witty and humerous as they share jokes over a drink or six.

• Lisa and Paul from the Mornington Peninsula;
The two that I (and others) mistakenly thought were a couple work extremely hard to fund their traveling lifestyle. Also having traveled extensively, these two work in bottleshops, newsagencies and other assorted occupations to pay their way. Both have a bounce in their step and provide me with many memories, whether it be Paul with his: knack for being served last; his efforts as an extra in a ping-pong show; his paternal care at an orphanage or his amazing knowledge; or Lisa with her attempt to pick up both the waiter/waitress at the Temple restaurant in Siem Riep, these two are a continual source of fun and enjoyment.

• Lorraine and Mark from Sydney;
The older couple of the group, they already have a four year daughter who is at home with her grandparents. These two are arguably the most traveled pair of the entire group. While I forget who Mark works for, Lorraine works in HR(?) for Stockland. They are travel junkies who are taking one final trip due to Lorraine’s pregnancy.

They are a fun pair: Mark with his unmistakable Indiana Jones hat and his digital SLR, and Lorraine with her various Lonely Planet guides. Having traveled extensively, these two are travel-wise and offer me many tips and pointers: too many for me to digest.

• Lynsey from the UK
The Brit who worked in Australia for two years and is now on her way home was caught up in the Chinese earthquake only weeks earlier. She’s an auditing manager for PWC and has an incredible ability for detail and analysis, something that goes with her job.

Travelling by herself, she has been able to be completely self-sufficient and gives me a few pointers on how I can last the 8 months in a similar manner. She’s also got a really dry sense of humour, a sense of humour that I take to as she reminds me of Tom (in Melbourne).