The Singapore Times Exclusive: THE ABDUCTION OF RORY DYLAN STEPHEN: OFF TO SIEM REAP TO SEE ANGKOR WAT AND PLAY SOME GOLF
Up with Bobby Jr. and Amira who gussied themselves up and we went for breakfast at the Waterfront Restaurant at our hotel the Bangkok Peninsula. What a lovely spot enjoying the breeze off the Chao Phraya River and watching the boats chug by. Bobby Jr. and Amira enjoyed a splendid buffet breakfast with so much delicious and exotic fruit. I had a bowl of chicken congee and a few mango slices oh so sweet! Bobby Jr. gave me a small bowl of Jasmine tea which I developed a fondness for in Thailand.
The plan was to hop in a limo so Bobby Jr. could have some made to measure suits tailored for him in a manner of hours! Amira dispensed advice and I sat and watched.
We went to the Blue Elephant Bangkok built in 1903 and located along the historical Sathorn Road. It was restored in 2002 and is a beautiful colonial style restaurant with a sophisticated ambiance and tasteful Thai inspired décor.
I had a Purple Rice Dumpling and simply poached Snow Fish while Bobby Jr. and Amira tucked into Crab Maprao Coconut Soup followed with Pernakan Tumee Banana Prawns.
After lunch off to the tailors to pick up Bobby Jr.’s two suits and then straight to Don Mueang Airport for our private jet charter to Siem Reap. I must say a private jet beats the cargo holds I have travelled in to Singapore. I can chase a ball down the aisle and sleep on a comfortable seat, enjoy snacks and slurp up Evian at will.
Siem Reap’s airport is smallish but brand new. Bobby Jr. picked up his rented Mercedes and we drove for 45 minutes to Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort an oasis of greenery with colonial architecture.
A beautiful suite overlooking a large pond surrounded by beds of beautiful flowers.
A glass of champagne at the Champagne Bar and a dinner of steamed sea bass in a coriander sauce and of course the omnipresent rice in the deserted restaurant. Amira told me Cambodian men eat 260 kilos of rice and year and women 190! When humans eat rice in Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia it is usually a very large mound of it. I love rice but Bobby Jr. ensures I have protein, veggies and fruit.
Off to bed as tomorrow morning we are off to see Angkor Wat a breathtaking World Heritage site.
I am amazed how all the hotel staff here and in Bangkok bow to say hello. And being a Westie, I can smell sincerity. They are so hospitable and it is not an act. I thought it was time to practice. I am very adroit on my hind legs. Tomorrow I will return the bows.
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