Previous post in this series is here..
We managed to reach Hanoi airport in almost 3 hours. (It took us two hours in the morning from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, but the return traffic was something else!)
We walked into the airport and were in shock. Almost 400+ people in one long line for check in. Apparently a whole bunch of tour buses all ended up at the same time and the staff were caught short handed. We stood in that line and were worried that we wouldn’t make the flight. They announced our flight time was delayed by 30 mins and they opened 3 extra lines at a different counter. We got our bags checked and made it to the gate. There was a very small but cute lounge with bar seats only and we got hot water. That was good enough to make some more Wagh Bakri chai. The one constant through this trip was the two chai breaks we gave ourselves no matter where we were..
We were met at Siem Reap airport in Cambodia by our guide and driver. He spoke excellent English and that was a relief. It took us almost an hour to get to our hotel. We stayed at the Golden Temple retreat (they have four hotels with different names at the end of Golden temple in the area). It was already late and trying to find dinner after that was ruled out. So we ate some fruit and energy bars and decided to call it a night. It was still San’s birthday and the hotel staff surprised us with a fruit plate to celebrate both our birthdays.
This hotel was amazing in every way possible. The best part was the staff. These guys set the bar very high for hospitality. The rooms and facilities were also amazing as was the breakfast area under a big pipal tree.
At first the staff thought we were there for a honeymoon and offered to take photos of us sitting on the bed.. I had to tell them it was San’s birthday. The front desk scanned our passports and realized it was a “birthday trip” for both of us.. so they surprised me with a fruit plate as well..
It wa a long day and I decided to crash. The ladies suggested San can get a massage in the Spa if she chose to.. and she “chose to”!
A video highlight reel..
Our guide was to meet us at 7AM the next morning to start our sight seeing..