Return of John G from Bangkok and Siem Riep
Aug 5th, 2002, 10:16 AM
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Marilyn, I saw the Apsara show at the Angkor Hotel. The dancers and musicians all go to a school in Siem Riep to learn the "lost arts" of the Khmer. <BR><BR>It is very interesting to note the symbolism of the dance. The way the dancers hold their fingers signifies the planting of rice, and the lifting of the legs symbolizes the walking through the rice paddies.<BR><BR>I bought a CD of Khmer music while I was at Les Chantiers Ecoles, reminding me of Cambodia while Im at home.
Aug 6th, 2002, 09:42 AM
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
John, I've really enjoyed reading your Thailand / Cambodia posting. It brings back memories from my last trip there this past January/ February. Was it you who posted a query regarding the Killing Fields memorial in Siem Reap, which I responded to? It seems most people only know about the one in PP.<BR><BR>Anyway, happy to read you had a fantastic time. South East Asia remains one of my favorite areas in the world. Cheers.
Aug 6th, 2002, 12:53 PM
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
Dear Barbara,<BR>After seeing your message, I realize that it will be helpful to give you some information. Although most people fly on Bangkok Airways to Bangkok, it is possible to travel by car from Siem Riep to Poipet across from Aranyaprathet in Thailand. I read recently that road condition got so much better that you could get to Poipet in 2.5 hours rather than 7, but even I myself still doubt this. Then, it should take 3.5 hours to get to Bangkok from Aranyaprathet.<BR>The friendship bridge links Nongkhai in Isan (Thailand's NE region) with Vientiane, the Laotian capital. Unless you are adventurous, traveling north of Vientiane is not recommended, and staying overnight in Nongkhai will be better.
Aug 6th, 2002, 02:03 PM
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
Now that I have a few minutes from my hectic job, I wanted to relate an amusing anecdote about the taste in footwear of Asian women. It seems these women just love slippers.<BR><BR>My mother and I watched with amusment a well-dressed Asian woman (ethnic Chinese maybe) carrying a huge shopping bag ladden with Romeo y Julieta cigars. She disembarked from the Oriental ferry at the Skytrain station, along the Chao Phraya, right in front of us. We couldn't believe how she carried that heavy bag as she teetered on 6-inch heeled mules. She made it across the dock and up the flight of stairs to the train terminal, with us applauding her all the way. (Continued)
Aug 6th, 2002, 02:14 PM
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Later, in Siem Riep, the cleaning woman at our hotel constantly complimented my mother on her black-leather slides. She never took her eyes off of these shoes while she cleaned the room. In fact, we joked that along with our passports and money, we should put the shoes in the safe when my mother was not wearing them! When we were at Angkor Wat, I said to my mother, "I wonder if the maid is walking around in our room wearing your shoes?" We would then both crack up with laughter. (Our guide thought we were nuts.)<BR><BR>Then, the icing on the cake was when we were going through customs in Bangkok when returning from Siem Riep, and the female passport agent said to my mother as we walked past her after getting our passports reviewed, "Oh, Madame, your shoes are so beautiful. You buy them in America?" <BR><BR>So, girls, if you want to be a big hit in Asia, bring all your backless shoes along for the ride.
Aug 8th, 2002, 07:44 AM
#30
Guest
Posts: n/a
Wayne, I met Datuk Choo in London last year and he told me himself. He also gave me good advice on fengshui. A friendly guy despite his fame.<BR><BR>Sorry John G, didn't mean to hijack your tread. Please tell us more about your trip. Did you see Wong Kar Wei's film 'In the mood for love'? The last scene where Tony Leung revealling his secrets to a hole in the temple wall, was it filmed in Cambodia or Thailand?
Aug 13th, 2002, 05:37 PM
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
I have already decided to start planning my summer holiday for 2003--to Hanoi and Phnom Penh. Of course, I will be staying at the Metropole in Hanoi, and Hotel Le Royal in PP. I will be doing some research in the next few months on how to spend my time in these cities. If anyone has suggestions, please advise.
Aug 15th, 2002, 03:49 AM
#37
Guest
Posts: n/a
<BR><BR>John G,<BR><BR>You should see 'IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE' if you have the chance, IMO it is Wong Kar Wei best work. Maggie Cheung looked gorgeous in her 20 changes of cheongsum.<BR><BR>A friend told me last night that the last scene of 'In the mood....' was filmed in Cambodia but did not know the actual location. Thanks anyway.
