Friday September 25, 2009 Vienna, Austria to Prague, Czech Republic

Day 28 of 36

Vienna, Austria to Prague, Czech Republic
Flight 14 of 18
Miles 172 of 22,121 total miles to be travelled

I woke up at 8 fully rested and I feel my knee may be a bit better although the muscles in my upper leg keeps wanting to cramp. Usually it is the lower leg. Maybe my dreaming of a mineral bath treatment helped!

Went to the concierge lounge for coffee and breakfast. I have gained weight on this trip so will need to take a few pounds off. A bit over 200 pounds - so I need to loose those same 10 pounds again to get my weight back where it should be!

Returned to the room and packed. Went out into Prague for a morning stroll. It was very cloudy and chilly. I had on short sleeves and decided to press on at a brisker pace. I went all through the Stadtpark, across the Ring from the Marriott. Nice park. Lots of people walking and enjoying the cooler weather. Headed around the edge of the Ring clockwise. Got to the Opera and decided I needed one more "treat" while in Vienna, so I went to the Sacher Hotel and sat at a sidewalk cafe and had a sacher torte and a latte. It was good. Fun watching the people go by too. Of course, this little treat was relatively expensive - over $10. But it was worth it.

If left the Sacher and turned in from the Ring and found myself by the stables where the Lippizaner stallions are kept. They were in their stalls and I watched them for a while. Left and went through a couple of churches and saw some ancient Roman ruins that had been unearthed. Strolled north east from here through a part of the inner Ring where I had never been. Many beautiful gold statues. And I stumbled across a glockenspiel clock high up on a building. I waited a while and watched the men turn. It chimed 1 pm while I was there. Not as impressive as the one in Munich, but elaborate nonetheless.

Wended my way through the streets back to the Marriott. retrieved my bags from the concierge and he got me a taxi to the CAT station. A short ride. I was able to check in my large bag here and the train was waiting and left as soon as I sat down. Less than a 20 minute ride from the city to the airport - an easy way to handle this commute.

I had a panic moment when I got off the train - I reached for my folder that has my cash and credit cards and it wasn't in my pocket - I thought at first I must have left it on the train when I put my euros in an envelope. But I had put it in my jacket pocket instead of my pants pocket - stupid me. Put it where it belonged and headed upstairs.

I already had my boarding pass, so went in and headed to the Business Class Lounge and got to go to the upgraded lounge since I'm a priority gold status-holder with the Star Alliance. Most likely last year for that!

Read a USA Today, had a lunch snack (it was good) and did email using their free wireless. I like it when they provide that.

My flight today leaves Vienna at 5 pm and I head to Prague - just a little over 100 miles and much less tha 1 hour flight. I'm sure it is a small plane.

We were a little late boarding but left right on time. A small plane but they still had business class. They even served a snack for a 35 minute flight! Smooth flight and we arrived in Prague on time.

My bag came out quickly, I loaded it on my luggage cart, and headed out to find an ATM. Got 3,000 czech kourny - about $150. That should last for my 3 days in Prague. I found an airport shuttle (should have taken a taxi) and we immediately loaded up for the drive into the city. The roads were relatively clear until we got close to the city and then everything came to a screeching halt. Rush hour on Friday evening, the driver reported. Oh well. I was the last to be let off at the Hotel K&K Fenix. It is centrally located just 1/2 block off of the main street leading to the National Museum (Vaclavske Namesti).

I checked in and unpacked my clothes for the stay. Not many clean clothes left but I have less than a week left on the road. I'll make it.

I wasn't very hungry but put along sleeved shirt on with a jacket since it was quite cool out here. Fall has arrived and the leaves are in colors already. I'm further north now than at any point on this trip. I walked over to Vaclavske Namesti and took a stroll around. Lots of people out. Several stalls with large "wursts" and "dogs" for sale, cooking on the sidewalk. Tim would be in heaven but I've finally gotten my stomach back in line so I'm not going to risk that.

I walked around a while and window shopped. Lots of beautiful glass. And I found a pair of shoes I liked (Tim would be shocked!). May go back and take a look tomorrow. My Prada's are starting to wear out. Headed over to the river side - lots of groups of brits here visiting. Stopped and got just a snack on the street and then headed back. Went for a sauna to relax. I noticed a Thai message place on the main street tonight and may go tomorrow for a massage or foot massage. My dogs are still a bit achey!

The hotel seems very quiet. The rooms are small but "adequate". Nothing fancy like in Vienna or Siem Reap.

Went to bed about 10. Dreams of all kinds of weird things during the night. But I rested.

Thursday September 24, 2009 Vienna, Austria

Day 27 of 36

Vienna, Austria

So I think the traveling has worn me down. I was pooped so slept late - until after 8:15! The room was dark with light blocking drapes so I just slept. Weird dreams last night. I keep waking up not knowing where I am, and wondering where Tim is. Oh well!

Went to the concierge lounge and had breakfast and read the paper and did a sudoku puzzle. Headed out for a stroll. Just not in the mood for an organized tour so today is going to be a laid back day - to enjoy the beautiful weather and do nothing - or whatever I want to do. I headed into the middle of the Ring to the cathedral - it is still under renovation and covered in scaffolding. Oh well - no good pictures here. Found an ATM and got some euro that should meet my needs for the rest of this trip. Headed to the far side of the Ring to the BurgerTheatre and the Parliament and City Hall - beautiful structures. I then headed back around the Ring to the Opera and went into one of the pastry shops. Yum these look good, but surprisingly they didn't have the choices I was hoping to see (but I did take a picture!).

Walked by the Sacher Hotel and looked in - they have opened a new dining area since I was here last year. No "goodies" on display except those that are boxed up so continued my stroll back toward the cathedral. A Conditorei shop was near and they had a great variety of goodies. I selected an erdbeer torte stuck (strawberry) - it was so good - with coffee. Enjoyed that and then headed back to the hotel by the cathedral. I passed a most gorgeous plant store enroute.

Checked out the hotel's fitness center and pool. May enjoy that later, but for now, I'm taking my book to the large park across the Ring from the Marriott and will sit in the park and read and do nothing. My left knee is acting up today so I need to take it easy. I'll sit in the sauna downstairs later to loosen it up.

The park across the street is fabulous. I sat and people-watched for a long time. A little boy with him Mom came by and wanted to pick up acorns and I helped him find some. There was an underground manhole cover with a hole in it and I showed him how to put the acorns in the hole and they disappeared. He squeeled with delight. I enjoyed the park. People were walking all around and some were sunning on the grass. It was so pleasant out. I did a few soduko puzzles and read some in my Grisham book.

Then back to the hotel and I started doing some writing on my book. Perhaps my writer's block may be broken soon. And it was! I wrote about 3 pages - or part of a chapter - in Murano Blue. I'll finish that chapter tomorrow morning.

Abotu 5:30 I went up to the concierge lounge for cocktails and snacks. It turned out to be dinner - it was so good. A pasta with a wonderful cream sauce and vegetables, and a chicken dish that was devine - pieces of chicken in a rich sauce. Of course they have sweets I had to sample. Had my share of scotch, watched CNN with others in the lounge and then returned to work on the book for a while, do email, blog, etc. And then I went to bed early about 9:30. I was beat today and my knee hurting didn't help. I dreamed about my knee during the night - should have had a "treatment" at one of the mineral spas in Budapest! Maybe they will have this in Prague?

A relaxing day "for me" today. No agenda - do what I want to do - enjoy the beautiful city - watch the people - enjoy the food - ENJOY LIFE!

Wednesday September 23, 2009 Budapest, Hungary to Vienna, Austria

Day 26 of 36

Budapest, Hungary to Vienna, Austria
Flight 13 of 18
133 miles of 22,121 total miles to be travelled

I had a lot to finish seeing today so I was up at 6 am. Showered and dressed and went to breakfast in the beautiful hotel atrium. I was the only one there for breakfast so early! Caught up on a little bit of CNN and headed out a little before 7.

Walked through the narrow pedestrian streets to the south. Down to the old Danube River bridge - traffic was getting very heavy. It was only about a 3o minute walk there. Budapest is a great walking city - easy to get around and things are not as far as they seem. Went across the bridge to the Gellert Hotel. To the right in the hotel building is an old thermal sauna - Gellert Pools. I went in and looked around. The architecture is the attraction. The people going there for their thermal treatments looked like they were all living in Our Lady of Hope (nursing home). The treatments were expensive and all a la carte - $20 - $30 per session. So I skipped that.

Then I realized that the Budapest version of the Statue of Liberty was just up the hill. So I started up in a beautiful natural park - winding, steeply sloping walkways and stairs. I made it half way and realized I had a long way to go and gave up. I'd already been there anyway. So I took in the view from one of the benches in the shade and then headed back down a different path. Back across the river and through winding streets to the hotel.

I finished packing and checked out and left my bags with the bellman. I headed off to the Victory Park where they have statues, museums, park, etc. I headed up Androssy Avenue - the Champs d'Elyssee of Budapest - smart shops, beautiful mansions, and past the Opera House - beautiful structure. It was about a 45 minute walk to the park so I walked on the shady side of the street.

My walk took me through the "mansion district" - old mansions that were magnificent. Many needed work - some were embassies. Not many people out walking. Went to the Victory statues, and then over to a museum that was in an old castle. Beautiful parkland with lakes and paths, and benches. I stumbled into another thermal sauna (something like Chevkinko) - looked at the menu and clientele - same as Bellert! Beautiful building though.

Walked back through a side street in the mansion district and marveled at the houses. Get back to the Opera and took a table at Callas Restaurant for lunch. Had a Hungarian beer (large of course), Hungarian grilled chicken breast with a wonderful sauce and rice. It was really yummy. And I was hungry from all of the walking. Then had rice pudding with "forest fruit sauce" - a sauce made of small berries. The rice pudding was done into a cake and cut. It was good. As I was paying my check, an elderly lady with a cane stumbled on the cobblestones at the Opera House and fell face down on the pavement and was knocked out. She was all bloody. I got the waiter over and asked him to call for help. Some other people attended to her but she was out. I left before help arrived but she was in good hands with the passersby and the restaurant personnel who volunteered to help.

Walked back to the Basilica for one last look around inside and out. To the hotel to retrieve my bags and I used their internet one last time in the lobby while I was waiting for the airport shutte to arrive. The shuttle driver arrived pretty much on time, but the traffic was unbelievable. We had to pick up at one other location and getting there took over 20 minutes - then we set out for the airport. It took well over an hour to get there.

Check-in was easy, as was security. I found out that Hungary is a part of the EU (but not on the euro) so it has open borders with other European countries. So no immigration check. Went to the Business Class Lounge - which was a teeny-weeny room tha was hot and crowded. Hungary is just going to have to "get with it"!

We loaded up on the Austrian Air flight - and the flight was uneventful. It was only 35 minutes but they served us a sandwich and sweet and drinks. On arrival in Vienna, I bought a roundtrip ticket for the CAT train that takes you right to Vienna in 16 minutes. My bag came out quickly, I had to wait about 20 minutes for the train to arrive and then was off to Vienna. I was able to get a taxi right away and it was a short ride to the Vienna Marriott. But it was almost $10 just for that!

The Marriott upgraded me to a suite with concierge level privileges. I was beat so went up the the lounge for a cocktail before they closed it for the evening. Brought a "double" back to the room and unpacked and sorted clothes - dirty - not dirty. Updated email, checked the stock market (not a good day), and then went to bed. I'm whipped from travelling. I'll get breakfast tomorrow in the executive lounge so will just sleep in for a change with no agenda.

Hard to believe that so much of this trip has happened already. I'm feeling so fortunate tonight.

Tuesday September 22, 2009 Budapest, Hungary

Day 25 of 36

Budapest, Hungary

I woke up with the sun. Caught up on some sleep last night despite the "room service" incidents.

Showered, dressed, did email and then went to breakfast in the hotel lobby included with the room. Big breakfast. They have the redest tomatoes I've ever seen. A bit sweet - just blood red tomatoes. I've seen those all over.

And the style with facial hair on men seems to be to have a very thin line of hair running down the middle of the chin - very fine line. I've seen this everywhere.

Looks like another beautiful day so I'm off to walk around more and then take my city tour. The traffic is incredible in the downtown near the hotel as they are closing off several of the streets to make them pedestrian streets. I had to go to another spot to get my tour because of the congestion. I toured around for 2 hours and saw the highlights - a good introduction to Budapest.

Cruised down Andrassy Boulevard (the Champs Elysses or Budapest) to Heroes Square with monuments for those who helped free Hungary. There is a large park here and I'll tour that tomorrow.

By many large mansions - beautiful architecture - and churches. Across the Danube to Buda and Buda Castle and the castle district. Then to the Citadel, where they have a statue that is "the statue of liberty" for Hungary. Back to Pest and by the Basilica, then to the Parliament and then by one of the largest synagogues in Europe. After the organized tour I set off on foot and visited the Basilica first. The organist was practicing and it was thrilling - made the arm stand up on my arms. Beautiful - there is a concert there tonight that I may go to.

Then I walked to the Parliament that is right by the Danube. A beautiful historic building. Then to Gresham Palace (Four Seasons Hotel). Then down to shopping plaza, Besci Utca. Lots of shops and pedestrians. I had to try on of the gelato shops.

Walked around for a while and then stopped at a sidewak cafe for a Dreher beer and rested my feet. Around 4 pm I returned to Le Meridian for a rest. Will go out later for an early dinner and then to the concert at the Basilica.

Took a short nap and got dressed for dinner and the concert. Walked to the pedestrian mall and a guy was playing all kinds of songs on glasses - yep, glasses filled with water. He was really good. Over to the Danube and by a beautiful concert hall. Stopped at Ambassador Teracz for dinner - had Hungarian pork chops and a large Dreher beer. Then tried Hungarian "pancakes" for dessert, which are really crepes - these had been soaked in run, filled with nuts, and had chocolate sauce and confectioners sugar sprinkled on top. Good.

During dinner I got to watch the sun setting over the Buda Castle. And at the same time the moon (just a sliver) was setting too. Buda is hilly and Pest is flat, so the Buda Castle just across the Danube is somewhat imposing on the Pest side. The castle was occupied at one time by the Hapsburgs of Austria.

Beautiful, mild evening to sit and watch people walking the sidewalk. Two ladies were trying to sell their lace and embroidery ware. It was fun to watch them "working the tourists".

Then off to the concert at St Stephen's Basilica. I got to sit under the big dome. It was classical music (Ave Maria, Air, Alleluja) for organ, violin, trumpet, tenor and soprano. They were excellent. Lasted about 90 minutes and I enjoyed it all. Strolled back and there were quite a lot of people out eating tonight since it is still and mild.

I went out for a few night-time pictures of the lights on buildings and then to bed so I can get up early for my last 1/2 day in Budapest. The hookers were out in large numbers - right in front of where I had dinner tonight. There are a lot of big, expensive hotels here (Intercontinental, Sofitel, and Four Seasons) so these must be "high class girls". I was approached by no less than 8 of them. Then 2 Italian women stopped me wanting to know where a good nightclub was. I think that's what they wanted!!!! (:-) Then an Italian guy stopped me wanting to know where a good Italian restaurant was. What do they think I am? A straight Hungarian tourist guide?

Got my night-time pictures - they looked good and headed back to bed. I'm beat but the feet are feeling better!

Monday September 21, 2009 Bangkok to Munich, Germany to Budapest, Hungary

Day 24 of 36


Bangkok, Thailand to Munich, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
Flights 11 and 12 of 18
5816 miles of 22,121 total miles to be travelled

I am scheduled to leave Bangkok at 12:50 am Monday morning and arrive in Munich at 7:15 am. Then I just realized I have a 4 hour layover until my flight on Lufthansa from Munich to Budapest. Why did I schedule this like this? Oh well - a day of travel.

I got a bulkhead seat in Business Class on my Thai Airlines flight - on the aisle as I like. I had dinner - but didn't eat it all and watched "The Proposal" - funny movie. And that is one of few movies out that I have wanted to see. Then I put my seat down (but it didn't go back all of the way) and slept - probably for about 5-6 hours off and on. Pretty good for me.

I got up before they came around with breakfast so I watched "Imagine That" with Eddie Murphy and his daughter - it was good too. I had a big breakfast as I wasn't sure how meals would play out during the day. We arrived in Munich at 7 am - about 30 minutes early. Munich was very, very foggy and hazy - and very cool. I had to go through security to get to the Lufthansa Service Desk to get my boarding pass to go from Munich to Budapest. Got my boarding pass and then had to go through immigration to get back to my gate - does that make sense? The lines were long so this wait was a bit aggravating. Then I had to go through security yet again - and got the third degree this time. He patted me down over and over and questioned everything - "What's that in my pocket" - "A pen" - "Oh". Over and Over and Over.

Finally I got through and went to the Business Class lounge - she actually let me in the next higher level club since I'm Priority Gold with US Airways. Had some coffee, read an American newspaper, and watched the news on TV. Used their PC to update email. Left a bit early to get to my gate. They took us on a bus to a remote plane and we left early. Not many of us in Business Class. They served us a meal that was actually pretty good so that will be lunch today.

We arrived in Budapest early. The Airport Shuttle desk was just inside the terminal before we even got our luggage so I bought a round-trip ticket. My bag was one of the first out (I was surprised) and headed out to the shuttle. There was no immigration check - that really surprised me. I found an ATM and got some Hungarian florints. The driver called for passengers going to my hotel and off we went. It was about a 20 - 25 minute trip from airport to hotel. The driver had to take several detours as they seem to be working on lots of streets in Budapest.

I was the first stop for our shuttle so got off at Le Meridien. The bellman got my luggage while I checked in. They offered "an upgrade" to me that includes a junior suite, internet, and breakfast. So I took it. I like the attention!

The concierge escorted me to my room and it is magnificent. It has 12' ceilings, a hallway, huge closet, and huge bathroom. It is on the corner of the building on the front and has a great view of the park across the street. I couldn't wait to shower and shave and that helped me a lot to "get going". I took off on foot with a city map and walked to the Danube. Lots of sidewalk cafes in the area. Le Meridian is ideally located right near St. Stephen's Basilica and the river. Watched the river traffic for a while and the Chain Bridge. They walked to the Gresham Palace, now the Four Seasons Hotel. Beautiful architecture. Walked across the Chain Bridge and then took the funicular (Siklo) to the top of the hill to Buda Castle. Beautiful large old buildings here and gardens too. I walked all around and took pictures of Budapest from up above.

I then walked down a winding sidewalk back to the other side of the Chain Bridge and went back across. Near the Maquar Academy (beautiful) a group of people were setting up for some sort of ceremony near a large statue. They had a large band (more like an orchestra) of young people getting ready to play. I waited a while and listened to them practice. Then walked to St. Stephen's Basilica. Will go through it tomorrow. Stopped at a Budapest coffee shop (lots of them here) and got a frozen strawberry white mocca kozep. It was like a frappocino and was GOOD.

I then roamed through parks and neighborhoods off the beaten track. Beautiful architecture. People won't look at you here! I can tell my neighbors from Richmond (the Tolnays) were from here - strong features.

After walked the streets for several hours, I headed back to the Le Meridien to change for dinner. Bill and Lynn had recommended a restaurant to me, Cafe Kor. So I asked the concierge for directions and it was less then 2 blocks away - just on the other side of the Basilica. As I walked there I noticed that most restaurants were empty or only had 1-2 tables full. Cafe Kor was PACKED. I didn't have a reservation so she offered me a table behind (literally) the front door. I refused that table so rather than lose the business, she offered me a prominent table virtually in the middle of the restaurant near their daily special board. A couple I talked to from San Francisco told me that they apologized if I thought they were staring at me but they were just checking out the board. We laughed.

Being the first night in Budapest, I had a large Hungarian beer, delicious honeydew and proscuitto (sweet), and beef tenderloin goulash in red wine sauce with croquettes. It was all so good and filling. After settling my bill (I found out you don't say thank you until AFTER you get your change at a restaurant or they will keep the change), I went to Gelato Rosa for a gelato of strawberry and pistachio. They scoop the gelato out to look like a rose - it looked beautiful and was delicious - just like in Italy.

Short walk back to the hotel, did email, investments, etc and then to bed about 11. I am pooped. About midnight the phone rang and it was room service wanting to know if I ordered room service. NO! I had just gotten back to sleep when he did it again. NO ALREADY! Finally to sleep for a restful night not on a plane.

A good overview day in Budapest. More detailed touring tomorrow.

Sunday September 20, 2009 Siem Reap, Cambodia to Bangkok, Thailand

Day 23 of 36

Siem Reap, Cambodia to Bangkok, Thailand
Flight 10 of 18
350 miles of 22,121 total miles to travel

It was a toss-and-turn night last night. I got so hot from the duvee but the room was so cold. So I turned the AC off and took off the duvee. Much better. I woke up several times and finally turned CNN on about 6:30. Showered, dressed and packed final things. I'm hoping the hotel will let me stay in the room until I get back from my Tonle Sap Cruise on the large lake just outside Siem Reap. I leave at 9 - it's a 20 minute ride there - a 2 hour cruise - and a 20 minute ride back via tuk-tuk. So I should be back by noon to checkout. We'll see.

Off to breakfast - a light one today - I've been eating way to much and my stomach is telling me to "slow down". I checked with the front desk and they wanted to clean my room for the next guests so I checked out and they put me in Room 2 above the dining room and told me I could keep that until I leave at 4 pm. The bill was wrong as they had charged me for the dinner we had when the apsara dancers performed, but they fixed it.

My tuk-tuk driver was ready early so we headed out to Donle Sap Lake - there was a bit of confusion at first about which lake we were going to, but the other one was far away - and I don't have that much time - and don't want to travel that far in a tuk-tuk either ! But my driver knew exactly where we were going.

The ride was very bumpy but we got there in a little over 20 minutes. Only $10 for the round trip tuk-tuk ride and the driver waited for me at the lake while I went on my tour. I bought a boat ticket for $30 and went to my private boat with guide and driver. This area is all land in the dry season (January) and the boats all move out to the big lake. But during the rainy season this isall flooded and the lake is about 4 times bigger. These people live on these small boats and fish every day for a living. They had been out fishing in the morning and were "beating" the nets to get the small fish off.

There was a floating school, floating market, floating church, and even a floating basketball court. They took me to a school and requested I buy books and pencils for the small children. Today is Sunday and it isn't a school day - so I'm betting this is some sort of scam - you buy the books, give them to the teacher, and she probably returns them to the store and they sell them all over again. My guide was concerned I hadn't bought enough books for all of the children but there was boat after boat stopping here. Oh well, I hope the children get some benefit of this.

We went into the large lake - and it is very much like the ocean. A Vietnamese woman came up to our boat in her small boat and wanted me to take a picture of her daughter holding a water snake - for $1 of course. I don't think so! Not me - ugh!

Lots of women begging for money - these are really poor people. But it is life as they know it. During the dry season, the boats move out to the big lake but come back each year during the rainy season to the same spots. There were boat builders and one man was building a new house boat. Some men were bathing in the water (it wasn't clean!). Most of the boats had antenna for their TV - they use generators to get electricity. But there is no water out here - they have to bring it all in for use in large containers. I'm glad I don't have to live this way.

They dropped me back at shore and my tuk-tuk driver was right there waiting for me to go back into Siem Reap. Another bumpy ride. I'm now in Room 2 and will shower and change clothes before I go to the airport at 4 pm for my flight tonight to Bangkok on Bangkok Airlines. I'll have a 4 hour layover there and leave a little after midnight on Thai Airlines for Munich.

My tummy has been doing flips all day so I'm taking heart burn medication and eating Tums like candy. I decided to go into Siem Reap (Siem is the old Siam!) one last time. I took a tuk-tuk from the hotel for the short ride since it was so hot. Walked around but nothing to buy - same ol', same ol'. Went to Central Bar and Brasserie for a light lunch. I've got to get my tummy settled. Then back to the hotel for a great hot shower and a short nap. I'm going to try to stay awake on the plane until after dinner tonight. We will be leaving here at 1 am Bangkok time on Monday but that is like 8 pm on Sunday night in Budapest. So my thinking is if I stay awake and have dinner (hope it settles), then I can sleep for 6-8 hours and I'll be on Eastern Europe time. We arrive in Munich at 7:30 am on Monday morning. An 11 1/2 hour flight.

I checked email one last time and loaded my picture to the computer and then went down and my driver was waiting. They are punctual for sure. He was practicing his English on me the entire way to the airport - difficult to understand at times, but we made do. He make $30 a month as a driver (oh my God!), and he is going to school to learn information technology - he likes computers. He dropped me at the new Siem Reap International Terminal. I had to wait about 30 minutes to check in for my flight with Bangkok Airways. Security and immigration was painless. The plane arrived from Bangkok and they loaded us up about 45 minutes early. That went so fast that we left Siem Reap about 30 minutes early - that has never happened to me before! Plane was full with lots of Brazilians, Chinese, and Thai people. Small plane and a smooth flight. They even served a nice snack - I ate part of it that I thought would digest without any issues.

Arrived in Bangkok at their new airport - it's huge - and had to walk a long way to the Transfer desk. But they had given me a boarding pass in Siem Reap since I leave on Thai Airways and Bangkok Air does code share with Thai. So I went back through security as required and then to the Business Class lounge. Ate a small sandwich and a diet coke. Now I'm having my evening scotch - yum! It is only 9:30 pm here and my flight doesn't leave for over 3 hours (actually Monday, so this saga will continue on the next blog page!). I sure would like to take a nap, but I'm not going to do it - gotta stay awake and adjust to Eastern European time if possible. I'm just hoping I can sleep on the plane!

I'm listening to Yanni on my ipod and enjoying that. I may make reference to a few of his songs in my book. So today comes to a close in the Thai Airways Business Class Lounge - they do a such good job with service. Looking forward to my flight with them to Munich early on Monday.

Saturday September 19, 2009 Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 22 of 36

Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tim's last day of vacation in Southeast Asia

We got to sleep this morning but woke up with the sun about 7 am. We had breakfast outside on the patio at the hotel and then went for our "city tour" of Siem Reap on our own. We first walked along the Siem Reap River to the Royal Independence Gardens and the Royal Residence of the King and Queen of Cambodia. Today is a holiday in Cambodia - and all families are supposed to go to the pagoda to pay respects to their relatives. The Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Charm Shrines are by the gardens and they were filled with people lighting incense and setting small birds free (for a fee). We walked to the Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor by the gardens and then headed back into town. We walked on the other side of the river to the downtown market area - this is what we were looking for last night!!!!

Many of the shops were closed in the morning but lots were open so we roamed through the streets and looked. When we got back to the Central Market area we went in and looked at the merchants stalls - everyone wants you to look - and many want you to buy a t-shirt! They don't seem to understand "No"! We just kept walking.

I bargained for some gold earrings for Lauren - 20 carat gold - she didn't have what I wanted but "her friend" got them from another booth. Deal done, we headed on and crossed the Old Market Bridge to find Wat Damnak. We went right by it (Tim said - thi s is a school! - but it was the Wat!). We went around the block and came in the back. Interesting. Lots of tombs - some of different colors. Some of the tombs had pieces of paper on them - this has some significance relative to your ancestors.

We then walked up the east side of the river to Wat Bo. Another interesting site. They were feeding the monks at a large hall (all a part of the holiday celebration). Back by Viroth's Restaurant to the hotel.

We went to the pool and went swimming - it felt wonderful. Had rum drinks - then got dressed and went to the cafe for a "proper lunch" - Tim had a deluxe club sandwich made with lobster and I had pasta. My strawberry daiquiri was definitely weird!

We then took a short nap and relaxed by the pool. Back to the room so Tim could pack - he is taking my duffel suitcase back with him and some of my really dirty clothes so I can use his big red bag on wheels with a handle - that will be a bit easier for me. We got dressed and headed to the lobby to get a tuk-tuk for a ride out to Angkor Wat for one last visit - and to get pictures in the afternoon sun since we had been there in early morning. LOTS of people - especially Japanese. They can be so inconsiderate too!

The tuk-tuk ride was fun ($5 each way is the going rate). Our driver took us there and waited for us while we visited and then drove us back. Tim showered when we got back to get ready for his trip back to the US. Hey - someone has to work!

We got our same tuk-tuk driver and went into the downtown Siem Reap area (The Alley). We walked around a bit and ended up at "The Linga Bar" (appropriate don't you think?). We had 2 cosmopolitans each and they were discounted as it was happy hour so our total bill was $13.50 for 4 drinks - what a deal. We should have been doing this every night! We walked around a bit and went back to "Cambodian BBQ" restaurant that had been recommended in our small guide book. It was an experience. We had fried chicken spring rolls - they were just okay. But the main course was spectacular. They brought a heated contraption with an aluminum "cooker" on top with holes. They spread fat back on top to grease the cooking surface, and then we placed chicken, shrimp, and then beef on top to cook. Around the edge was a broth that they kept putting boiling water in. We put vegetables in this to cook - carrots, lettuce, cabbage, etc. That was good too. A new experience and good. Hopefully, the stomach will think so too.

We walked to the end of the alley and got a tuk-tuk back to the hotel ($2). Tim changed and packed up and we took him down to meet his driver to the airport for his 11:30 flight from Siem Reap to Seoul. He'll arrive there tomorrow and after a several hour layover, he will leave for Atlanta - then on to Ft Lauderdale, where he'll arrive back mid afternoon about 3.

I was full and zonked after the drinks and big dinner - so I watched CNN for a while, updated my blog and then went to sleep. I have a tour to the large lake - Tonle Sap. This is about a 20 minute tuk-tuk ride from the hotel and then a 2 hour tour on the lake where there are "boat villages". Should be interesting. But for now, I'm beat and off to sleep.

I was reflecting on this trip over dinner. Tim's favorite parts were Halong Bay in Vietnam and Ta Prohm (where all of the trees were overtaking the temples). My favorite was the thrill of visiting Vietnam and Cambodia where the US used to be an enemy and now they welcome us with open arms. The people are so friendly and it is always amazing what a smile accomplishes. Especially the small children - they want to wave to you and have you wave back. So we did that a lot.

This has been a physically hard trip - and my knees are telling me to lighten up. I didn't realize it would be so physically demanding but I'm proud that I did it all and experienced the things that I did. Wonderful. This is living.