Back to Bangkok

The swing seats at the Shani Mani Hotel in Siem Reap

The time has come for us to leave Cambodia and Siem Reap and return to Bangkok. Sad though that we are to leave Cambodia, we are looking forward to getting back to Bangkok for the final few days of our trip. I promised, dear reader, a photograph of the swings that we felt it would be unwise to put Madame Cholet and Great Uncle Bulgaria onto as getting them off might prove a bit of a challenge, and so here it is. I might also mention our room number since this was a cause of great amusement for Captain Clarke and I when we were talking about the trip, the high lights so far and what any low lights might be.

Room 101!

Our room number at the Shani Mani, (it means ‘good hands’ apparently), hotel was, in fact, Room 101! I shall return to this tomorrow.

Siem Reap International Airport

Having checked out of the hotel, we were waved off by what seemed like virtually the entire hotel staff. This was such a delightful touch and we were all very happy, (I am, or course, assuming at this juncture that they weren’t all waving because they were glad to see the back of us!). Our guide came and collected us with our driver, (one is rather useless without the other!), and we drove to Siam Reap International Airport. If I am totally honest with you, dear reader, it is not the busiest airport I have ever visited. There were others at the airport, but the vast majority seemed to be getting on our plane!

Flight PG 906 to Bangkok!

On the subject of planes, I am afraid that I have once again found myself having to issue a public apology. You may recall that I mentioned, (in passing), that our plane from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap was an ATR 72 and that these are not my favourite planes. At the time of discussing the plane with the rest of our party I said that I thought the ATR was an American plane. Great Uncle Bulgaria has subsequently corrected me on this – it is in fact a French/Italian company that manufactures them, although the engines are Canadian coming from Pratt & Whitney. When Great Uncle Bulgaria delivered this news, (with great relish I may add!), he did say that they call it an ‘airbus’ but I have to say that in all my extensive research, (I Googled ATR 72), I have found no reference to the word ‘airbus’ which is, of course, a completely different company. However, in the interests of peace … public apology issued!

The Priority Lane requirements!

We left Siem Reap a few minutes early, (On an Airbus A320!), and the flight to Bangkok was just 55 minutes, so no sooner were we up than we were down, (and not for the first time I may add!). On arrival at Bangkok airport we needed to complete another ‘Visa on Arrival’ form and then queue for immigration once again. On our previous arrival in Bangkok we had travelled business class with Qatar Airways and were given a ‘gold pass’ which gave us access to a priority queue for immigration. On this occasion we had flown ‘down the back’ with Bangkok Airways and, as a consequence, we had no such ‘gold pass’. Having said that, the security staff took one look at us and directed us to the ‘Priority Lane’, (which was actually no quicker than any other lane, but ho hum!). Now, I don’t appear to be ungrateful and I can understand why they thought Madame Cholet and Great Uncle Bulgaria might be appropriate to use the queue, but Captain Clarke and myself? I know we are a little travel weary, but really? I think this was going a little far! Captain Clarke asked the lady behind him if she was pregnant. She rather indignantly responded, “No, and I’m not quite 70 either!” I don’t think that everyone understands Captain Clarke’s humour, (including me sometimes!)!

Our tailor once again caught us out!

And so, we were met by our guide and waited for our driver and vehicle. Rather disappointingly he wasn’t there and took about 25 minutes to arrive which was a little frustrating in the heat and fumes of the airport, however, he did arrive and we drove back to the Shangri-La Hotel where, on this occasion, we have ‘Club Horizon’ rooms which are on their own exclusive floor(s) and, amongst other things gives us access to the Horizon Club lounge where, between 5.30 and 7.30pm we can enjoy free drinks and nibbles. Our first port of call on arrival in Bangkok was back to our very rich tailors for a final fitting of the various items of clothing we have procured. I have to confess, we were caught out again and yes, we bought more! A new suit and two new jackets for myself and the same for Captain Clarke, (Great Uncle Bulgaria also failed to escape and bought another three shirts!).

The buffet on the dinner cruise

Finally, we arrived back in the hotel just in time to shower, change and have a pre-cruise drink in the Horizon Club lounge before we departed on the dinner cruise up the Chao Phraya river. Our table awaited us on the boat and we were made very welcome indeed. The food was stunning! I had cause to visit the buffet on more than one occasion, (well 5 actually), and every morsel was utterly delicious. The scenery too, all the way up and down the river was spectacular and the whole evening was thoroughly enjoyable. If ever, dear reader, you are passing through Bangkok, I can thoroughly recommend the Horizon Dinner Cruise from the Shangri-La Hotel. There are many photos in the gallery, but I can truly say it was one of the most fantastic evenings! (Although, to be honest, there haven’t been many that haven’t been!) It’s RudyMenTerry!

View the photo gallery for this post here