Wow, that was a lot of flying. This was my fifth time across the Pacific and everytime I seem to forget how LONG it is. I just arrived in Phnom Penh about three and a half hours ago. Other than the duration, the trip was smooth.
When I arrived in San Francisco, the check-in line for my next flight snaked through three switchbacks and then continued out of the cordoned area for another two switchback's worth. Families were pushing carts piled high with luggage and boxes of goods to take to Asia: "smart" mattresses, diapers, stereo equipment. At check-in, the agent seemed quite alarmed that I had no visa to enter Cambodia. I told her that I would get one on arrival, but then she was even more alarmed that I didn't have a return or onward flight document. She made me sign a waiver that I wouldn't hold them accountable for being denied entry.
The flight from San Francisco was not as comfortable as my last experience with China Airlines. I was seated in the row that faces the large projection screen in the center section--the screen was about four feet from my face. I did manage to get about six hours of sleep, which was nice. The international terminal in Taipei was familiar and the flight from Taipei to Phnom Penh had larger seats.
We touched down at the small Phnom Penh International Airport at ten-thirty in the morning, local time, but it feels odd when people say, "Good Morning". I was granted a visa in about four minutes and sailed through arrival and customs just as quickly. In all, I could have used a little more acclimatization before being thrust upon the mad moto and taxi drivers outside.
I was about to arrange a ride with a moto, when a woman in her mid-twenties who was being shepherded towards a cab asked whether I would split the fair with her, because she was scared to go alone. On our way into the city, I found out she was a teacher from Taipei, on vacation here in Cambodia for fifteen days. I thought I was disorganized, but at least I had picked a guesthouse on the plane and written down the address. She spent part of the ride, trying to figure out where she wanted to stay.
After dropping her off, I made it to a bank to change some money and then to the Lucky Ro hotel near the waterfront. It is a little more than I plan to spend on my accommodations but at twelve dollars a night, I think I can at least recover from jet lag there. I got a room, took a shower, changed, bought a bottle of water and now I'm on a mission to keep myself occupied walking around until a somewhat respectable bedtime.
When I arrived in San Francisco, the check-in line for my next flight snaked through three switchbacks and then continued out of the cordoned area for another two switchback's worth. Families were pushing carts piled high with luggage and boxes of goods to take to Asia: "smart" mattresses, diapers, stereo equipment. At check-in, the agent seemed quite alarmed that I had no visa to enter Cambodia. I told her that I would get one on arrival, but then she was even more alarmed that I didn't have a return or onward flight document. She made me sign a waiver that I wouldn't hold them accountable for being denied entry.
The flight from San Francisco was not as comfortable as my last experience with China Airlines. I was seated in the row that faces the large projection screen in the center section--the screen was about four feet from my face. I did manage to get about six hours of sleep, which was nice. The international terminal in Taipei was familiar and the flight from Taipei to Phnom Penh had larger seats.
We touched down at the small Phnom Penh International Airport at ten-thirty in the morning, local time, but it feels odd when people say, "Good Morning". I was granted a visa in about four minutes and sailed through arrival and customs just as quickly. In all, I could have used a little more acclimatization before being thrust upon the mad moto and taxi drivers outside.
I was about to arrange a ride with a moto, when a woman in her mid-twenties who was being shepherded towards a cab asked whether I would split the fair with her, because she was scared to go alone. On our way into the city, I found out she was a teacher from Taipei, on vacation here in Cambodia for fifteen days. I thought I was disorganized, but at least I had picked a guesthouse on the plane and written down the address. She spent part of the ride, trying to figure out where she wanted to stay.
After dropping her off, I made it to a bank to change some money and then to the Lucky Ro hotel near the waterfront. It is a little more than I plan to spend on my accommodations but at twelve dollars a night, I think I can at least recover from jet lag there. I got a room, took a shower, changed, bought a bottle of water and now I'm on a mission to keep myself occupied walking around until a somewhat respectable bedtime.
Local Time: 2:00 PM - Friday, 26 January
1 comment:
Glad to you see you arrived safely, lad. Look not for love in these parts, as I feel that it may lead your heart and soul astray. I wish I could meet you and Sir James in the rugged mountains of Nepal- that would have been grand. Be safe, and wander on an on. -Tiberius
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