Homeward

After breakfast we packed our suitcases early and brought them down to the desk, then set out walking to the Angkor National Museum. Once again, the map was not helpful due to the total absence of street signs or other markings, but we managed to arrive in 20 minutes, only stopping once to ask directions.

The museum is new, it's a bit pricey at $12 per person, but is very up to date in the way artifacts are displayed. Videos (offered in several languages, including English) were well done and presented background. We didn't watch all those we encountered, but a few. We spent a little over an hour and it was worth the time.

We worked up a sweat walking back, as the temperature had risen considerably. Knowing that we'll be facing temperatures below zero in just a matter of hours, we did not complain in the least about the heat. We had a bit of time to clean up at the hotel before checking out and taking the bus to the airport. Bangkok Airlines offers a "First Class Lounge" to all classes -- no distinction. So we had a newspaper and snacks, along with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Also the best internet connection we've had in many days. Even though it was only a 40 minute flight, we got lunch in the air, as well.

The demonstrations are still going on in Bangkok, so our bus from the airport had to take back streets. It's a big bus and the streets are very narrow. In addition, all of the other traffic is also taking back streets to avoid the roadblocks. Thus, the congestion made for some interesting moments. However, all in all, we made good time. We are coming up in the world at the Pantip Hotel: On this, our third stay, we are on the 24th floor. The carpet isn't much better up here either.

Our farewell dinner tonight is a cruise on the river. We will be eating early, because some must leave the hotel as early as 2 a.m. to catch flights home. We get to sleep in -- we don't leave the hotel until 4 a.m.!