November 21 – 24, 2011 Siem Reap, Cambodia

One of our favorite parts of the trip was visiting Siem Reap in Cambodia. It was such a delightful surprise. The people were very friendly and asking us to tell our friends to come visit. We stayed in a boutique hotel called Frangipani’s. They boast of employing people in their area and offer training and schooling. They also buy all the fruit, vegetables, and meats from neighboring farms. Plus it was walking distant to Pub Street and the markets.

 Our room

 view of pool from our balcony

 Gene lounging in lobby

 Tery relaxing in lobby

 street in front of hotel

view from rooftop

Walking around town you see everything from monks to street vendors roasting bananas, girls riding bikes to school, and an elephant statue right in the middle of the intersection.

There is a night market. The streets close down and vendors put up their booths. It is amazing to see it during the day and try and figure out how they collapse everything.

I had a foot massage at the night market by a blind man. They train the blind to make a living by giving massages.

I mentioned tuk-tuks before. It is a very easy and inexpensive way of getting around. Even though we were within walking distance to the markets we did indulge in a tuk-tuk or two by the end of the day. We had one driver that was new to it and got lost plus he wasn’t very good at balancing the motor bike!

On Pub Street there is a variety of places to eat and drink. One of our favorites was the BBQ joint.

We had a favorite day market that we did our souvenir shopping. There was spot in the middle where you can get something cool to drink. When you sit down they give you a cold damp wash cloth to wipe your face and/or place on the back of your neck. Very refreshing!

Here is a picture of some delicious prawn spring rolls, peanut sauce, and an Angkor beer

We did have some very good food while we were there.

November 16 – 20, 2011 Pattaya, Thailand

On our next leg of the trip we had Mr. Narong drive us to Pattaya. The drive took us 1 hour and 45 minutes.This is a city on the water and very popular with the people of Bangkok who want to get away from the city heat. We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel. Very Very Nice! The nicest place we stayed at, but then it is a chain hotel from the states.

Even though Gene couldn’t get his hand wet he still got in the pool to cool off.

Every other store front is fish spa’s and massages. For 300 bahts we got a 20 minute fish spa and an hour foot massage. 300 bahts equal $9.50 USD. Since Gene couldn’t figure out the currency at this time he gave them each a 500 baht tip! That is almost a 200% tip! Needless to say I took over the money.  We got many foot massages and Thai massages throughout our trip. They are 1 hour long and cost 200 bahts ($6.50USD). Three hours before we flew home we were out getting our very last foot massage. Glorious!

I had a pedicure before we left so the fish weren’t that enthralled in my feet. I took this picture looking down at my feet. The fish swarmed Gene’s feet! It tickles a little bit. The water was filtered and very clean. They wash your feet before you put them in the water and then afterwards they give them a good scrubbing.

This is a picture of a cart set up on the beach to sell drinks

There isn’t that many cars in the city of Pattaya. Mostly motorbikes and tuk-tuks. Tuk tuks are wagons pulled by a motorbike or a bicycle and you ride in them like a taxi. However, they can also be used for selling food or drinks. They can have a truck cab too.

We hardly got any pictures of the beach but here is one. No, that isn’t Gene and I on the beach. Another note…no matter how large you are you can still wear a bikini or a speedo.

Walking street is a popular area and they shut down the street to traffic in the evening. That is where we had our first foot massage and fish spa.Back of tuk-tuk with a rider.

Here is Gene getting in tune with Ronald McDonald.

Sunset in Pattaya. Gene thinks his camera was steamy going from an air conditioned room to the heat outside that made this picture look foggy.

Here is night traffic and the main street. You can see a couple back ends of tuk tuks. Everywhere we went in Asia you take your life in your hands when crossing the street. The motorbikes will even come up on the sidewalk if traffic is bogged down. You’re not even safe there.

Here is a sign of the city up on a hill.

Next stop, Cambodia