Gail and I each just had 2½-hour spa treatments. Started with foot scrubs, then body scrubs, then massages. We’re feeling pretty mellow, but have to get ready for our multi-course Khmer dinner, which we will have out of doors—but not on the swinging table/beds, because we might get seasick (actually, I don’t think I can eat with my legs straight in front of me).

Today was great. We explored the hotel more after dinner last night and this morning. It is really very beautiful (see pictures). It reminds us of Tahiti or nice places in the Caribbean.

By the way dinner was fine last night, and they certainly had foie gras on the menu. We split a duck breast salad. Then Gail had grilled salmon and I had two types of fish from the Mekong served bouillabaisse style. We took a tuk tuk to and from the restaurant, which is like the pedi-cabs we were taking in Vietnam, but instead of bicycle the driver rides a motorcycle.

Anyway, today we got a guide and driver and went on a boat ride on Tonle Sap Lake. It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia—12,000 square kilometers. It merges with the Mekong River near Phnom Penh. One sees floating villages and all sorts of interesting sites.

Then we went to another arts and crafts store (with all goods by widows and orphans), which I’m starting to become suspicious of. Anyway, we indulged in a sapphire and diamond bracelet, which was either a wonderful buy, or not. Following this, the guide took us to a restaurant across from Angkor Wat, which was quite good. Obviously, it had many tourists. Gail had chicken with curry and coconut. I had a stir-fry chicken with mixed vegetables and ginger. We were sitting next to an American couple from Colorado, who had been to Laos and are staying at a sister hotel to ours, which apparently is a “training” hotel. They brought two extra suitcases of clothes and supplies, which they have handed out to needy people in several places they’ve visited. We (especially Gail) started feeling pretty guilty. After lunch, we went to the Killing Field area, which was fairly disturbing, and we contributed to some fund. Lastly, we went to a silk farm, and saw the whole process from the worms eating mulberry bush leaves to them making cocoons. We then saw how the silk thread was made, spun, dyed, and woven. Gail bought one item. A beautiful shawl.

We returned just in time to shower before our spa treatments. Tomorrow we leave early for a full day (Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and I’m not sure where else).

Gail and Eugene

Maski--I don't think they were taking special requests at Le Bistro.