Author: EveColorado

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Itinerary: Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument ever built, covering an area of 200 acres with its towers, terraces and causeways. The Khmer Empire reached its zenith of artistic expression and architecture with the building of Angkor Wat.

Built in the 12th century and abandoned in 1431, Angkor Wat was swallowed by encroaching jungle until the great temple complex was rediscovered in 1860 by French botanist Henri Mouhot.

Today, we visit Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei, Eastern Mebon, and Pre Rup temples. Later this afternoon, we explore Ta Prohm, Takeo and Preah Khan temples and we will watch the sunset from the top of Phnom Bakheng Hill. Tonight, we have dinner with a performance of classical Cambodian dances. Overnight at the Casa Angkor Hotel.
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Visit a lot of temples today–each one sufficiently different from the others that they stayed interesting. After the third, or was it the fourth, maybe the fifth, Trish needed a little retail therapy.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Itinerary: Following breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel. Afternoon visit to Banteay Srei. Overnight at the Casa Angkor Hotel.
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Bangkok, Thailand

Itinerary: This morning we visit the Grand Palace and the ancient temple Wat Pho, “Temple of the reclining Buddha.” After lunch, we visit the King’s Royal Barges and Wat Arun, before boarding our long-tail boats.

We travel along the Chao Phraya River and observe Thai life on the water. In this river community, restaurants, fruit sellers, laundry facilities and even temples are all accessible by boat. We will enjoy dinner tonight at a riverside restaurant.
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After visiting the Grand Palace our group then visited Wat Pho to see the reclining Buddha.

At least all of us except Trish–she went off with another group getting off their bus next to ours, and only realized her mistake when they ended up at the river instead of Wat Pho.

She made her way back to Wat Pho but stayed outside the entrance as she didn’t want to risk not finding us in the huge complex. Unfortunately it was a different entrance than the one we used. Fortunately Roger, our ElderTreks guide, went to that entrance while looking for her and found her right when we were ready to leave.

Trish said she wasn’t too worried–she would have taken the river bus or a tuk tuk back to the hotel after a couple of hours of waiting.

We next went to the Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), then on a long-tailed boat ride on the river and down side canals. The boats are very noisy.

Bangkok, Thailand

Itinerary: Tonight we will meet up with our ElderTreks guide and other travelers.
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Wandered around the city some more. Went inside the Vimanmek Palace, which is the world’s largest golden teakwood mansion. There were many very loud voiced tour guides with their large groups.

When we got to the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Trish and Eve were required to purchase a sarong to wrap around and cover up our trousers. Apparently pants in the marble palace on females are not O.K., but skirts (and some of the skirts showed a lot of leg), are fine!! Fascinating exhibits and art–it’s a place one could visit many times.

We took a short tuk-tuk ride across the Dusit Gardens to the Wat Benchamabophit (วัดเบ 597;จมบพิ ตร, also known as the Marble Temple).

Took a river bus back to our hotel and met up with the ElderTreks group for orientation and dinner.

Bangkok, Thailand

Itinerary: Explore Bangkok. Overnight at our hotel, the Royal River.
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…..but we didn’t find the Old Farang, (the Foreigners District) area of Bangkok though we were very close–until we got all turned around and walked in the completely opposite direction. However, we did get familiar with taking the water “buses”, which could have been very useful to Trish the day after tomorrow, the first day with the group.

Before not getting lost, we had afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in the Authors’ Lounge and were pleasantly surprised to find many of James Michener’s books in the bookcases. Like Raffles in Singapore, there is a suite named after him.

Bangkok, Thailand

Itinerary: Upon our very late evening arrival in Bangkok, we are met and transferred to our hotel, the Royal River Hotel.
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Still traveling…

After a long journey, we arrive at our hotel.

Denver, CO

Itinerary: Because we needed to be at the airport very early for our 6 a.m. flight, we stayed last night at the Holiday Inn, close to the airport, and took their shuttle to the terminal.

Our flights today are Denver to Chicago / change planes / Chicago to Hong Kong / change planes / Hong Kong to Bangkok.
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A few pictures from the journey.