Gate 1 Tour Map

I met my Gate 1 tour group this morning. We were 23 and all Americans (Gate 1 is an American tour company, but we would be joined by a couple from Peru later). There were seven from Minnesota, six from Texas, two each from Montana, Denver, Colorado, and Maryland, and one from Virgina and one from Los Angeles––me. We would add seven more to our tour later on. I was the only one traveling by myself. The tour group was on the small side most likely because the buses in Cambodia and Vietnam are small.

The 16–day tour (actually that includes two days of travel time there and back) was of Cambodia and Vietnam. Five people took  pre–tour extension in Bangkok and met us in Siem Reap; two others joined us in Vietnam.

The tour map will show you our itinerary. We would spend 2–1/2 tour  days in Cambodia.

Our Tour Guide

Radi (prounced Roddy) was our tour guide from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. At Siem Reap, she would give us over to another tour guide. She was very sweet and I enjoyed having her as a guide (she also was the one who picked up from the airport) even though, at times, it was hard to understand her English pronunciation.

Cambodian Countryside

It is mainly countryside, much of it very lush and pretty, from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, our day’s journey of 139 miles (223.65 km). I have put my photos of our drive on two slide shows. Go to Slide Shows, Asia, Cambodia, “From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap–1 and –2, Tour Day 1” or go directly to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/from–phnom–penh–to–siem–reap–1–day–1–of–tour/    and

http://www.peggysphotos.com/from–phnom–penh–to–siem–reap–2–tour–day–1/

Cambodia Countryside

We saw many rustic scenes and houses.

Cambodia Countryside

But we also saw many modern houses.

Lotus Ponds

We passed many lotus ponds along the road and stopped at one of them.

Insect Market

We also visited the Insect Market which sold crispy tarantulas, cockroaches, and other insects and well as small birds to eat. These are considered delicacies in Cambodia. The photo is of crispy fried tarantulas.

Stone-carving Village

We also stopped at the Stone–carving Village where there were many statues.

The Ancient Bridge

Next stop was at the 800–year–old Ancient Bridge which is still in use.

At the Ancient Bridge

I was fascinated watching these cows crossing the street while taking a walk through the village––not an everyday sight.

Dinner and Cambodian Dance Show

After arriving in Siem Reap and getting our rooms, we went to a dinner/Cambodian dance show. We were joined by five new tour members: three woman originally from the UK but now retired in Florida plus a couple from Peru.

I have put on three movies of the show. Go to Movies, Asia Movies, Cambodia Movies, pages 1 and 2.