So after a 12 hour bus journey (supposed to be 6 hours) from Laos where our driver took 3 extra locals and drove sharing his seat with a young lad (eek!), we arrived in Siem Reap. After I had been sick all through the prevous night (maybe too much Mekong River water swallowed, or the washed lettuce I ate, or the manky kitten that jumped up on my lap and I couldnt resist stroking) so we agreed on a more upmarket accommodation with air conditioning in Siem Reap. Our guesthouse provided pick up but as usual we were taken to a “bus station” in the middle of nowhere with only greedy tuk tuk drivers around. We rang our guesthouse, as they promised free pick up, and amazingly the chief receptionist (who had finished work for the day) rode out to the bus station with a tuk tuk in tow to find us. Now that is customer service! !!! Upon arrival at the guesthouse we were given ice cold towels, a welcome drink, nuts and vegetable crisps and a map with an explanation of how to see the city and temples. Also they explained expected prices for a tuk tuk driver and also free lifts they provided into “Pub street”.
We were amazed after the low levels of English and customer service in Laos! Then the reception guy was worried that as we arrived after 10.30pm the guesthouse restaurant was closed and we would be hungry so he took $3.50 from us and went to town on his own moped to get us some chicken fried rice and then served it on hotel plates to our room. Our room is also possibly the biggest hotel room I have ever stayed in with and outside garden, separate lounge part and huge bathroom plus a swimming pool ( all for $21 per night). Wow – we were amazed!
So feeling a tad jaded the following morning we lay in and then in the afternoon we visited a silk farm and production company / charity and saw lots of craftsmen/women producing silk and weaving products plus lacquer boxes, carving in wood and stone – many very talented people!
We were given information along the whole tour (even the bus driver told us what time it would leave and from where – not at all what we were used to in Laos).
The staff at our guesthouse (Popular Residence Hotel) are all very young, and continue to be keen to practice their English and super helpful.
What a great into to Cambodia!
