19October2025: Siem Reap, Cambodia: Treated Like a Criminal
Siem Reap here we come! My main reason for travelling with ABC International was to discover the ancient civilization of Angkor Wat.
Brutal timing awaits as up at 05:45 to finish off packing and leave bags outside room at 06:45 before heading down to breakfast. Not having much of an appetite for breakfast at this ungodly hour which is almost a crime because it is excellent although what breakfast could compare to that served at the Shangri-La Singapore! A slice of mango and papaya, croissant with scrambled eggs and a cup of jasmine tea.
On the bus at 07:45 to the secondary Bangkok airport much quieter than the main airport. ABC International, with a “fine eye for details” booked our flights failing to have seats assigned to match our preferences. Luckily managed to snag an aisle seat. At 6’3 don’t cram me into a window or aisle seat please.
A quick 45-minute flight. Facial recognition, thumb prints and electronic passport scan makes one feel like an inmate as opposed to a tourist. Our profiles must be now accessible throughout the globe. Privacy?
My plane food was forgotten (would not have eaten it anyways) but all the tour group forfeited their chow which was given to our tour director who dropped it off at a children’s hospital en route to our hotel.
Siem Reap has a newly constructed airport. It is so new you can smell its newness. Our flight was the only game in town so the airport was deserted.
Off we head in this poverty-stricken country to Sofitel Angkor Phokeetra Golf Resort and Spa. A bit incongruous with poverty is a lush beautifully maintained golf course. A beacon of luxury in a sea of poverty. The awkwardness continued with the Ozempic Crowd from Kansas.
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