Hong Kong, Thailand and Cambodia

This was back in 2016, we started with a short stop over in Hong Kong. Had some BA points that were expiring so used them on the Ritz Carlton. We wanted a room with a nice view and was interested in checking out their sky bar anyway. Enjoyed our time in the room and tried to get on the new time zone. We ventured out and took the passenger ferry across to the other side. We ate at Fu Sing Shark. I think this was one of the spicist dishes I ever had, we new we were in trouble when the waitress laughed at us after ordering it. Burnt mouth aside we enjoyed the meal very much. We wandering around central hong kong and then headed up to Victoria peak, also a great view. We ate dinner in our hotel. The next day tried out Sun Tung Lok for dim sum , really enjoyed this as well.

From Hong Kong we were off to Bangkok. We stayed at an interesting hotel, Praya Palazzo, which you have to take a boat across the Chao Phraya River to enter/exit (with a slightly sketchy back alley involved). One of us was happy with it overall, but it doesn’t sound like we will be going back. We ate at a couple recommended casual thai restaurants that were one step beyond street food, flavourful and spicy. We then checked out some of the usual highlights, Grand Palace, Wat Pho. Unfortunately I ended up with some GI issues but recovered in time the last night in Bangkok to enjoy Bo. Lan. Rustic but comfortable setting, excellent high end thai food, highlight meal of the trip. Had some cocktails at Octave rooftop nearby beforehand with some friends also visiting Thailand, a good spot. From here we were off to Chaing Mai. We stayed at Shangri La. It was a fine hotel, a bit large but the spa/pool/massage were nice. They upgraded us to club level which for a longer stay was a nice touch. Its not a over the top luxurious place like the out of town Four Seasons looked, but prices were much more reasonable. In retrospect probably should have chosen a more casual place in a location closer to the main attractinos. The hill top temple was a fun outing, Doi Suthep. Lots of good food to be had, with northern flavours, Huen Muan Jai was memorable. We did a cooking class which was fun, although trying to replicate the meals back home has been a total failure.

We flew from Chiang Mai to Siem reap. We stayed at Sokkkhak Bourtique Resort, which we really enjoyed. There are many more luxurious options in Siem Reap, but this small boutique hotel had excellent staff, good food, a well decorated and large/comfortable room, one of our favourite hotel stays overall. In reality most people coming to Siem reap are here for Angor Watt, at this stage in our lives splurging an extra few thousand dollars on the Amansara/Park hyatt/Belmond/Raffles when you all end up in the same historic site most of your time anyway would not have been justified. Angor Watt does not disappoint even the most seasoned traveller and is truly a must see destination and requires several days to do it justice. One piece of advice, skip the sunrise photo opportunities. My spouse had to fend off photographers trying to balance their lenses on her shoulder. Instead come for the golden hour when all the weary sunrise visitors have gone back for a nap. We did both, but I would have rather had the extra sleep. Had a nice meal at Cuisine Wat Darmnak, recommended, so is Artisans Angkor.

From Siem reap we flew to Singapore, stayed with friends for several days and had a great time. Explored the city ,had some great street food stall meals, and tasty drinks at the Fullerton bay outdoor patio with views over the bay. The Botanical gardens were quite nice as was Corner house restaurant for lunch inside them. From here we flew home.

Siam reap was the highlight for us. I do not have a desire to return to Thailand, while there are some nice meals to be had, the traffic in Bangkok was over the top, and Chiang Mai was simply not anywhere near as charming as Luang Prabang to spend a few days wandering about. Singapore was a blast because of friends but other than getting your bearings from an international flight and seeing the sights I don’t think I would spend more than a day or two there.