68. Goodbye to Siem Reap

All too soon my driver came to take me to the airport and as we sped along the road on that last day in the early morning, I felt sad - very sad that I was leaving. I didn't want to leave, I wanted to stay. We all feel a little sad when a holiday comes to an end but this was different. The atmosphere, the people, the feel of this wonderful place had grabbed at my imagination and pulled at my heart strings. But...I knew I couldn't stay - I had a plane to catch and planes, like time, wait for no man. Below are some of my favourite snaps of the last remaining time I had on Cambodian soil.

Above: Reflections in the pond

Above: Reflections

Above: Cafe Gourmet
Although there are 'No smoking' signs at the airport, this cafe was near to one side and I asked the chap if I bought a cup of coffee could I smoke there to which he replied, "Yes". So I did. The coffee was $3.00. And it was good coffee.

Above: View from the Cafe
There were tables and chairs plus some comfortable looking couches. I sat on a couch with a low coffee table in front and this was my view. With wide, floor-length windows, you feel as though you're outside.

 

Above: The second pond
I love this shot - this pool was in the distance and the trees make for a very peaceful view.

 

Above: Airport sculpture
After  my coffee, I went back outside for one last look. I took photos of the brilliant coloured flowers, some of which are in the slideshow at the top of this blog. This sculpture is smack bang in the middle of the 'round-a-bout' outside the entrance.

 

Above: Entrance
So much greenery, a far cry from other modern airports with their concrete and asphalt.

 

Above: What's the time Mr. Wolf?
You won't lose track of time - this large clock is suspended from the ceiling.

 

Above: Waiting
Note the high ceiling and roof - no doubt it helps deflect the ever present heat. I like it, it gives a feeling of light and spaciousness.

 

Above: Books for sale
Some of the shops at the airport. There was an Artisans d'Angkor shop here and I purchased a couple more silk items for people I'd forgotten to buy for - two purses for $10 each. Their prices were the same as at the silk factory.

After this, I wandered around looking for a fridge magnet (I liked fridge magnets - they make nice souvenirs and don't take up a lot of luggage space, plus they're light-weight) and I found I had a lot of trouble finding one that said "Siem Reap" - most of them said (of all things) "Phnom Penh" which seemed pretty silly to me given that this was Siem Reap! Anyway, I contented myself with a wooden magnet in the shape of Cambodia with the Cambodian flag on it.

 

Above: Watching the planes
You get a wonderful view of the plane(s) taking off or landing, and this view makes me think of the old colonial days of some British outpost.

 

Above: Departure Lounge
As you can see - everywhere is light and airy and filled with tropical plants.

Above: Plane to KL
Walkling out onto the tarmac, this was our plane.

Above: Aerial view of Siem Reap
I was craning my neck and looking around like a big kid at my surroundings.

Above: Mist on the plane
We, the paassengers were not quite sure what this rolling mist was or why it was there, but everyone was talking in an excited babble about it. Perhaps the plane need fumigation?

Above: Palms
As the plane slowly made its way down the runway, one side had a very long row of palms.

 

Above: Cloud over Cambodia
As we rose in the air, this was my view of Siem Reap - a fair bit of cloud about.

 

Above: The Last View
The blue is the real colour and hasn't been "photo-shopped" (I don't have photoshop anyway) and if you look closely, you can see the ground at the bottom of the photo. This was my last view of Cambodia and of a wonderful country with people with smiles and a friendliness that is genuine.