Highway to Siem Reap and water-blessing

This morning we said our good byes to the Heritage Line crew and took on the 210km journey to Siem Reap by coach. Although technically a highway the 2 lane tarmac road is under re-construction following severe monsoon damage.

Accounting for a 30 minute comfort stop (and some shopping) we departed at 8:45 and arrived in Siem Reap at 13:15.

My driver was waiting for me and after a quick atm stop we went to the hotel. He will also be our driver for the photography tour in Angkor complex tomorrow. To catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat we are leaving the Hotel at 5am. My breakfast- pack is already in the minibar.

The rep from tomorrow’s tour met with me to handle payment and confirm arrangements and then it was off to Wat Bo via tuk-tuk for a water-blessing. My guide and the driver from this afternoon will also accompany me on Monday and Tuesday’s day-trips. Bonus!

The water blessing was quite extensive…. I was thoroughly doused in cold water for around ten minutes. As for not getting water in your mouth there were a few close calls… It was an awesome experience and quite refreshing in the tropical heat.

After changing into dry clothes I presented the monk with offerings of incense and milk and he tied a red string around my right wrist as a symbol of having received the blessing.

An elderly lady, a gentleman and his tuk-tuk and a SUV about to take a long journey also received blessings.

We stopped at Beyond Unique Experiences’ office to pay for my tours Monday and Tuesday and confirmed arrangements. They also arranged the blessing from transfer to offering goodies to clean towel to sarong. Everything taken care of 🙂

Back at the hotel I had a cold drink on the veranda and moved inside to arrange the breakfast-box. I ended up fast asleep until almost 8pm. Luckily after the breakfast call to reception.

Supper at the restaurant was very good and I had a Skype IM chat with Colin to catch up on life at home. The cats have not driven him insane yet.

Everything is packed for tomorrow, second battery charging and alarm set.

Now to get some rest… tomorrow is a big, but long day,