30 April to 2 May Hong Kong

Leaving Cambodia we joined the queue to check in for our flight.  I chose the shortest line, there was a girl waiting at the counter, a Korean couple, and four French speaking people around our age.  Are you wondering why I would think you would be remotely interested in this information?

As we arrived in the queue the counter next door closed and a whole pile of Korean people jumped under the rope and tried to push in front of us. I had already manoeuvred myself into place to stop them from getting in front of me but 4 pushed through.  When the couple at the front finished they turned and called  the 12 behind us to come through!  They weren't in a tour party or anything. We were really ticked off and Lance said "no, you wait" and they all just stopped. The French people nodded at us in agreement and motioned to the four others that were squishing in front "non" and put their hand up to say stop.  It was a bit uncomfortable and the Korean people quickly backed up. And stood back to let us go through. Even as we boarded they stopped on the stairs and let us go in front. Different people, different customs I guess.

We left Camobodia in the middle of a thunder storm, lightening had been flashing and the power had gone out once. It was a bit of a bumpy ride, and we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City in time for dinner. We had booked into a hotel called Movenpick, and thought is sounded a bit funny, but is was lovely. Our room was one of the nicest we have ever stayed in and we enjoyed a Japanese meal at one of the restaurants. Breakfast in the morning was equally as nice, with a great array of things to eat.  In fact I had bread and butter pudding for breaky and it was almost as good as my own.  

Arriving without any more action apart from a bumpy ride we transferred to our Hong Kong hotel The City View. Don't be fooled by the name, there was no view and the room was like something you might have at boarding school. In fact it is the most basic room we have ever had. However the rest of the hotel was very nice and we hadn't planned on stayng in the room long during the day. 

Dropping our bags we ventured out, by now it was about 5:30. Lance had mapped out the way down to the water front so we set off. It was a joy to be able to walk on footpaths again after Vietnam, and whilst the traffic was busy there were minimal scooters and no tooting. They also had stop signs and traffic lights where we could cross the road safely. But on very busy roads we had to walk quite a way before we were allowed to cross and sometimes had to take a tunnel under the road.

We hadn't seen many beggars on our journies, but like any big city, Hong Kong has beggars. The difference is that they sit with their heads bowed almost ashamed that they have had to resort to this. They all were visibly maimed or disabled in some way. There were a couple of corners where someone had made a home, barricading themselves in with boxes and old umbrellas. 

The shops were more approachable and easier to pop into than Vietnam. We found all sorts of strange things, big slices of tree bark, big black pieces of fungus all part of medicinal remedies.  Fancy some seafood?

Walking for about 35 minutes I spotted a bus coming towards us that said 'Kowloon Ferry'. Guess we were heading the wrong way. An about turn was done and a retrace of steps. Along the way Lance mentioned that we were going to have dinner without returning to our room, a fact I was not aware of. What a daggy creature I was, shorts, walking sandals and a tshirt. 

Aqua is a fabulous restaurant with many levels that look out across the city.  On the 29th floor we were turned away from the restaurant as Lance had shorts on,I had hastily rolled the cuff down on my shorts to look like baggy disgusting Capri pants. They showed us up stairs to the bar where we could partake of the same menu but not the silver service. This was a very trendy looking place, so dark that I was terrified that I would trip over, but the view certainly was amazing. This building had signage changing constantly. It was a shame it was a bit misty. 

I started with the Foie Gras which was silky and rich, my risotto was ok, but I think I make a better risotto. I had a couple of glasses of Villa Maria Sav Blanc at $20 a glass and Lance drank Heinekin at $13 each, certainly a contrast to the lowest price he found in Vietnam, $1.25!!!

Slowly the fog rolled in but the city lights still twinkled through the haze. Certainly a nice place to dine.  Back downstairs we tried to grab a cab. Their first question is "where are you going" and if they don't want the fare then you don't get a ride.  Lance grabbed one and offered him way too much, so he took us, he turned out to be a nice chap from Shanghai. He said that the next day was a public holiday and all the shops would be closed, oh bugger! When we paid him we realised that we certainly had paid way too much, he showered us with thank yous. It was no more than we happily pay for a ride home from the city in Auckland, but we had definitely made his day. 

Next morning we had a slow start and wandered out of the hotel, this time in the right direction.  We thought  that some shops would have to be open and we were spot on.  I really wanted to go to Uni Qlo and we found a beautiful mall with the flag ship Uni Qlo store. I did the rounds and got a discount of HK$500. Yippee. 

The plan was to go to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch and we traipsed up and down where Lance thought it should be and finally gave up. A pizza was had on the waterfront, and very nice it was. 

Hong Kong certainly is a diverse city, extreme wealth and poverty. 

We had decided that because Vietnam was so cheap to eat and drink that we should do something a bit special for a dinner in Hng Kong. We couldn't decide and Lance had heard that the Intercontental had a nice view so off we went, this time we were dressed a bit more appropriately. 

We found that they had a Michelin Star restaurant called Spoon by Alain Ducasse so headed there. They couldn't seat us right away, which was not a problem as the bar had magnificent views, this time from ground level, across the harbour. 

After a couple of beers and a strawberry Daquiri we headed back to the restaurant. Those of you who know us well will understand that we dine out regularly and at times visit some very nice establishments. Well this one was right up there and above! 

At the table with crisp white linen and an amazing view of the harbour lights we received a plate with a small bite of terrine each and a small lobster thing and some ball things. Our waiter brought butter, 2 pats, one salted and one unsalted. Then he placed a teaspoon by each of us. Lance didn't hear him say was butter and thought it was some sort of mousse. He picked up the teaspoon and dug it in the butter to take a bite. "It's butter" I hissed. Man did we giggle.  Lance whispered, "if they ask where we are from say Australia". 

A different waiter came with a large basket of bread and explained each type for us to choose from. 

A small bowl arrived with fine pasta and a few fine veges and with a flourish the waiter produced a jug and poured hot broth over them. 

Next up a lobster and asparagus dish, with our cutlery was a desert spoon sort of thing that had been flattened out. I just had to ask and he called it a sauce spoon. I told him that I had never come across one before and he told me I would see plenty this evening and to use it to scoop up my sauce. After he gave the table a special little sweep to remove my crumbs...

Frogs legs followed! Spindly little bones with a wee plop of meant at the end. The jug appeared  again, this time a green purée (green for frogs?) was drizzled around the small limbs. 

When I asked where the bathroom was, I was whisked away and shown to the door, when I arrived back I thought that they had re folded my napkin, however when Lance was escorted to the loo someone whistled past the table picking up Lance's napkin and from somewhere behind me a long arm with a pair of silver tongs whipped in and placed another fresh napkin on the table. When leaving the bathroom someone appeared from the dark corner and escoted you back to the table. This was great for me because I am a bit directionally dyslexic in these sorts of places, especially after a few drinks. 

Next course, rare lamb rump and finally, we thought, desert. A most delicious strawberry dish. But we hadn't finished at all, along came some petit fours. All of this with a bottle of New Zealond wine, I found this in the wine list that was 10 pages long. 

As we left we were given a small box each and these held 3 perfect macaron. 

What a special night, I won't broadcast the bill, but it is the most we have ever paid for a meal. What a memorable evening. 

Next morning was our last, we had a few ours to kill before heading back to NZ. We confidently wandered down to the waterfront again and this time took a ferry across to Central Hong Kong.  This is  a very fast pace part of the city and if possible even more crowded, but this time with well dressed business people. The streets lead uphill and with new information we found the Hard Rick Cafe and had some brunch. Then wandered back down to the ferry through an art park and back up to our hotel. 

And that was that, done and dusted.

In 2 weeks we travelled on 7 flights, trains, motorbikes, cars, buses, vans, tuk tuks, ferries, junks, Sampan boats, motorcarts, cyclos, feet, kayaks and probably something else I've missed. 

Thanks for coming along with us via this blog. 

Till our next big adventure. 

29 April last day in Cambodia

An 8 am pick up but this time in tuk tuks. It seemed to be a little cooler, but maybe that was because we didn't have to walk around anywhere. 

We took quite a long ride out of town and visited a modern temple where people worship and monks live. It was very Indian looking even though it is a modern Buddist temple. And the cemetery was beautiful. 

It was a really lovely (apart from the dust and the bumps) way to travel, as you got a good look at everything.  Most of the houses were pole houses hanging over the river. There were often little children outside playing or working. And we passed a couple of schools with really small kids playing. 

At one place it must have been a water lily farm and there were acres of pretty flowering water lillies, all purple. 

At a very small port we boarded a long thin boat that would take us down a long and very shallow river to the floating village. 

The river opened I to a huge lake and houses were dotted all over the place. As we passed each house there were kids playing and swinging in hammocks. The water was pretty brown and murky and I guess the toilets go straight into the water. While the houses were basic they were pretty spacious and women were working washing clothes or dishes as we passed.

Stopping at a huge pontoon we were encouraged to buy souvenirs and we saw the fish farm cage where the cage is sunk in the platform so the fish are in the water. Next to this cage was a larger cage with good size crocodiles waiting to be slaughtered where their skin will be sent to China to be made into bags and belts then sent back here. I did price one of these bags last night and they were between $400 and $600 USD. 

A quick ride back and into the tuk tuks.  We stopped in a village for a snack. Banana wrapped in sticky coconut cream rice and then wrapped in a banana leaves and toasted over hot coals lying in a bit of spouting. It was very nice.

I have been wanting to take photos of the kids as they are adorable. And I managed to snap this little cherub. 

The tuk tuk dropped me in town and took Lance back to the hotel. I had a nice pork and pomelo salad and a mango smoothie. Then came back to the hotel. And here we sit waiting for time to pass so we can jump on the next plane back to Ho Chi Minh City for one night, then off to Hong Kong! We have thoroughly enjoyed Siem Reap and recommend people visit. 

28 April Siem Reap and more exploring

This morning we had a 7am pick up. 

Our first stop was a bit out of town was the pink temple Banteay Srei, this is a much smaller temple.

Our next stop was a wild life park. I usually enjoy these sorts of things but I was not anticipating a happy time at this place as I thought they may not have it right and I may see animals in places that they shouldn't be. Well I was so wrong. They had a big focus on biodiversity, conservation and education. They had sections where the animals were well away from the public so they would be able to be released back into the wild. He talked about the animals that they had already released and about the things they were putting in place in schools to stop people keeping wild animals as pets or killing them for shonky  medicinal reasons.

My favourites were the gibbons. We have gibbons in the zoo close to our home, they often wake us up at night. It was great to see some so close to their natural habitat. And they put on quite a display with their loud calls. 

Our trek began at the wildlife centre, and a trek it was.  We only had to climb 1500 metres, however at around 37degrees it was a bit of an effort.  There were parts that were more clambering than trekking and apart from the puffing and sweat running into my eyes I enjoyed it.  At the top there was a small waterfall.  Then we walked back down. 

A nice lunch was had in a forest setting a and I'm a bit cross because the whole time we have been away people have been ordering milk shakes for lunch.  I'm not a big milk drinker so haven't followed suit. Until today that is, when I found that they are more of a fruit smoothie. I had a mango one and it just tasted like blitzed mango and was delicious. Bugger. 

Our afternoon habit has been to come back to to the hotel, throw our sweaty clothes in the bath to soak and to have a swim. And that is exactly what we did today.

The tuk tuk driver was waiting outside our hotel to run us into town, where we met up with Emma.  Lance found us a lovely French restaurant, Le Malraux.  We enjoyed an excellent meal and would highly recommend this place. For desert we found a place called the Blue Pumpkin. Downstairs is a patisserie sort of shop and upstairs an ice cream parlour. Is was really cool with large wall sofas, so deep that your feet are out in front of you, and little tables to pop on your lap. Desert was delicious as well.  Who thought we would come to Cambodia for this type of cuisine. 

Just when you think you have seen every thing possible on a motorbike. Here they have trailers to hook on the back. We have see a cow on a trailer attached to a motor bike. And in this photo you can't see the corrugated iron hanging off the back. 

 

Yep, this is on a trailer on the back of a motorbike. 

And now for bed and our last day here is tomorrow. 

27 April Temple Explorers

The tour leader picked us up just after 8am, and I was told that I needed a t shirt that covered my shoulders so I had to race up to the room and quickly get changed. (Phew, I don't even wear armpits in Auckland in summer, how will I managed in this heat).

Vanny the tour leader talked to us as we continued on the short drive to Angkor Wat.  There are only 5 on the tour which is nice. Lance was extremly excited as this temple has been on his bucket list for a while.  We had also watched a National  Geographic Doco and were pretty amazed by the engineering involved in the building. It was built 1100 and something as a Hindu temple, later to be converted to a Buddist temple. 

Vanny took us in through the back gate and explained that Angkor Wat was discovered in 1908 by the western world. There were hardly any people on this side so we got a good look around. The carving detail and the stories that they depict are great. At this stage, 9:30 am, we were awash with sweat. We continued through the temple to the centre and climbed the stairs to the top.  I had been looking forward to these challenging stairs as they are only about 6 or 7 inches deep and very steep. But they had built wooden steps over the top of them to protect the temple. Still very steep though. 

We wandered through the vast open corridors and it was a very calm place, with a few monks here and there. Amazing to think the king built this just for himself and no one else. 

I spotted a small crowd of people and wandered over to see what they were looking at.  There was a small child, and I mean small. It was the size of a newborn baby with little skinny legs, he or she was sitting up and had unusual features.  I would he was at least 3 years old and people were handing him/her money and the mum would whip it away ready for some more.  I thought this was a kind gesture, but did not like the people taking photos like he/she was a tourist freak show. Further along was another baby this time with a huge head. Poor little bugger, and again people handing money over and taking photos. 

As we arrived on the other side of the temple, at the front gate, we could see more and more people arriving. A few classic Angkor Wat snaps were taken and I spotted a large  macaque monkey sitting in a statue. 

Angkor Wat exceeded our expectations. A unique place to visit and often thought to be the eight wonder of the world. 

Not far away was the next temple, Angkor Thom.  This temple was a bit more crumbly but equally as beautiful. The towers all had large faces carved in them. 

By now we were dripping with sweat, it was just pouring off us. 

A welcome stop for lunch by the lake and what do you know, the Cambodian guy that greeted us off the bus had a NZ tshirt on.  He had lived in Hamilton for 2 years and his brother has 2 bakeries there. 

Small kids attached themselves to us trying to get us to buy things, they were very persuasive but not enough for us to part with our money.  Lunch was okay and a little more like Chinese food.

After lunch we drove to Ta Prohm Temple. This is the temple from the movie Tomb Raider. Immediately you felt like you had been dropped into the movie, it was exactly the same.  

The temple was a bit crumbly, but under repair. The huge and ancient trees that intertwine through the stone work are spung trees and hollow inside. They have been the cause of a lot of the damage. Of course they were not there when the king was here back in the 12 century, but grew from seeds dropped into crevices and have now become a distinguishing feature.  

I also felt like I I had dropped into the Disney movie The Jungle Book in the monkey temple and I could hear Baloo singing away in my head. 

Back at the hotel Lance and I headed straight to the pool, it was a trifle tepid but better than nothing.  While our stinky sweaty clothes soaked in the bath tub we enjoyed a cocktail and beer by the pool. 

We ended the evening in Pub Street with Emma at an Irish Pub.  We just needed some western food. The food was ordinary but sat well in our bellies. I also visited the friendly pharmacist for ear drops. I have a bit of earache from my cold. Luckily medicine is cheap. $3.90.