Since I made some negative remarks about the Bangkok hotel, I feel it is only just that I comment on the other hotels we stayed at. At Siem Reap we stayed at the jewel of a Colonial Raffles hotel. It had ceiling fans, a lovely pool and a small but charming reception area. On our second night there we were all scheduled to eat outside with a Cambodian BBQ plus tandori and stirfry foods to be followed by the Aspara Dancers who would present typical Cambodian dances that usually feature the battles between good and evil. The area was set up for about two hundred diners since outside people from other hotels and groups were also expected to come. Well, about fifteen minutes before dinner it began to rain. At a little after seven the light rain began to diminish and we were told that dinner would be delayed by about twenty minutes. Stan and I went out then with others and found the rain was down to sprinkles, the chair cushions had been dried off and dinner was to proceed as expected. As soon as we sat down, rain began again and staff scurried to bring large beach style umbrellas to cover us. We expected the dancers to be cancelled. Instead about less than twenty of us sat in the rain with warm drips coming down our backs and ate delicious food and watched exciting dances with exotic costumes! Were we dumb or not? We loved it.

The weather in Bangkok was stiffling hot and humid. I was asked if Cambodia would be the same or hotter and I replied I thought it would be hotter and was it ever. One day it hit 96 degrees with about 90% humidity. We had two cases of heat prostration. One couple left Bangkok and returned to the ship instead of continuing to Cambodia while in Cambodia a woman on insulin and water pills was sick. She corrected her situation and continued with us. It was vitally important to cover your head and hydrate constantly.

The Raffles Hotel in Phenom Penh was almost a carbon copy of the one in Siem Reap except it was larger, there was no ceiling fan in our rooms but excellent AC, larger lobby and two pools. The food here was also superior.

The temples in Cambodia were stunning. We visited four or five temples. The first was pink sandstone with deep extensive carvings and was small. Angkor Wat was the biggest. Ta Prohm was unrestored and was the site of the filming of Tomb Raiders. The Bayon Temple was huge and beautifully carved.

Our last city was Phnom Penh and I have no desire to visit it again. It is just too new. We visited the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, all of which are of recent history. We were given the opportunity to visit the prison of the Kymer Rouge but most of us were just too drained from the heat and returned to the hotel. Those who went said it was depressing but felt it is necessary to keep alive the memories of the atrocities that occurred there.

Three days at sea now with a positive time change each night. Last night the crew were given a party and they were so excited about it that their joy overflowed onto us.

Last night, also, was the SSS reception. The Constellation was decorated in black, white and ice and was gorgeous. It was suggested we all dress in black, white and diamonds!

Ardis