Saturday, October 04, 2014

Leaving Cambodia

After the lovely elephant ride we were brought back to the hotel, had just enough time to have a nice shower and change before we had to vacate the room. We did however have quite some time to fill in before we leave for the airport. In hind sight we wasted a golden opportunity to take a tuk tuk into the city for a wander round and see more of this tourist city, but we didn't think we had enough time so we just sat and read in the foyer, very relaxing and probably what I needed at the time, but time wasted I think now.
Christine told us she and her Mother Pauline would not be returning with us, but instead would be flying to Thailand to a bigger better hospital, the air ambulance was paid for by their insurance $22,000US, thank goodness they had such great insurance, it is the type we all hope we have but hope never to have to use.
peg is good friends with Pauline and she went by tuk tuk to say goodbye to her friend who must be very ill indeed. heart attacks and breathing difficulties plus pneumonia we believe. We feel for both of them, it is not the way they intended to finish their holiday. Photo of Pauline from earlier when she was feeling well and enjoying herself.

 I went into the hotel shop and decided to buy a silver Rat! In memory of the fact that the people in Cambodia around the rice paddy's eat masses of the Rice eating Rat, the meat is sold at the markets and is not a small rat such as we might know, it is as big as cat - plenty of meat on it. As far as I know we never ate any of this meat!
We indulged in more of their wonderful Ginger tea, I have become quite addicted to it, odd since I do not like to drink tea at all, but this is so different,  the teapot has long thin strips of root ginger steeping in boiling water and comes with a tiny jar of liquid honey which in itself is yummy enough to drink on its own! I am going to miss this drink when I get home, but I may well have a go at making it myself.



Eventually its time to get aboard the bus for the airport, as we drove there we had to pass over an ancient Angkor bridge still in full use. The driver stopped long enough for us to snap a couple very quick of photos before we went on to the airport. Nice of him.
At the airport we also had a wait so peg and i went off shopping in the duty free shops, we both bought a silver elephant in memory,of our lovely elephant ride this morning, I don't buy many souvenirs as we only have a smallish home  and they just become clutter, but I do have a small animal collection that now has 2 more pieces in.
We were flying to Singapore for our free stop-over and everyone else was in transit on way to their homes in Australia, so there were some hugs goodbye, as we had got quite close to some of them. We had also enjoyed some of Cambodia, the Pol Pot saga was rather off putting and I still seem to hear the clamor of millions of innocent victims
calling to me, but more quietly now.

25 comments:

Roan said...

I don't buy many trinkets either. I let my photos be my reminder. Wonderful trip!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

After reading your description of the big rat, it belongs in your collection!! What wonderful memories this trip introduced you to...:)JP

Valerie said...

Hi Glennis, popped in to thank you for visiting my blog. I enjoyed reading the last post on the subject of your visit to Cambodia. I have never been there ... it looks and sounds fascinating. Not sure about those rats, though. I intend to come back and read more about your trip.

I must add before I go that I love ginger tea, and drink it daily with lemon. I don't touch any other although I quite like spearmint tea.

Lowell said...

Greetings, Glennis! Thank you for you comment on our blog. I'm on a break at the moment, but I would say in relation to this post, 1) your photos are most interesting, and 2) it is usually not good to get sick in a country other than your own.

Best wishes.

Merry Witch said...

Hello, Glennis.
Your trip sounds so wonderful. I hope I can visit Cambodia and ride an elephant some day. But I'm not sure about rats... But the silver rat (and elephant) you got is very cute.

Launna said...

This sounds like a wonderful trip Glennis... I do hope your friend will be okay. Thank you for the comment on my blog, have a lovely day ♡

Lois said...

Cute little souvenirs! I always try to buy small items too when I'm traveling.

Linda said...

Little elephants to remind you of the great elephants!

Sounds like an interesting trip.

A Colorful World said...

Thank you for visiting my blog...yours is lovely! Love your header. I'm so sorry a friend was so ill. I hope she will recover. It sounds like such a wonderful trip. Ginger tea, by the way, is so good for you!

betty-NZ said...

I'm sure you made many wonderful memories! Thanks for sharing.

George said...

It looks as if you had a wonderful time in Cambodia. I enjoyed my time in China very much, and I have long wanted to get back to that part of the world.

Vineeta Yashsavi said...

Its really very lovely experience to read your blog... Good work...

stardust said...

You really had a wonderful trip to Cambodia, Glennis! Your photos will remain lovely souvenir of this trip. I scrolled down to see other posts and so impressed with the Angkor Wat and elephant ride. Thanks for your visit.

Yoko

Ela said...

Such a wonderful place ! Great photos !

agatek said...

Hello from Poland: I love to travel, see interesting places, to explore the world especially through the internet. Awesome blog. Regards :)))
Thank you for your visit on my blog. I invite you sincerely. :)))

Dee said...

I would love to sit and hear your travel adventures...I am sure you have some grand one's...you are very fortunate to be able to travel...I appreciate the time you take to share your journey.

Inspired By June said...

What a wonderful experience, Glennis! I am sorry that you weren't feeling well, though. Falling ill in a foreign country would be a big concern for me. I hope your friends mother recovers soon. Have a blessed week, I'm sure you are glad to be home!

Jocee said...

Lovely to read about your trip. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Always nice to hear from other NZ bloggers. :)

Debbie said...

oh this sounds like a wonderful trip. i like to bring home "natural" items from a trip, if i can. one small reminder, like a rock, sea glass, a shell, postcard....i recently made a memory jar with small items i collected this summer!!

beautiful pictures in this entry and of the elephants, this must have been a fun adventure!!

thanks for stopping by, and for leaving such a kind comment!!

Dragonstar said...

Your souvenirs are perfect. Many thanks for your visit to my blog.

Unknown said...

Beautiful trip

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time Glennis, but I bet you were happy to get home to have a rest :) holidays can be so exhausting! Must admit I love the elephant rides also, bit high for a vertigo sufferer like moi but still fun!

NatureFootstep said...

I never visited Cambodia. It looks nice from your shots.

Cloudia said...

What fun! Elephant and tuktuk! I like your wee souvenir



ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
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Jen said...

I like the idea of collecting animal figures as souvenirs. Hope your friend is better soon.