Well folks, I went and did it. I flew half way around the world for the privilege of getting sick.
It started on Mother’s Day while we were still in Singapore. I was dreading the plane ride on Tuesday to Cambodia, and hoping against hope I would get better and be able to enjoy our time in Siem Reap.
But it was not to be.
I had scheduled a two day private tour prior to our arrival. The first day was spent touring the major temples at Angkor Wat, one of the seven wonders of the world, and the second day we would be touring a floating fishing village.
I was well enough to take the day one tour, but barely. The temperature was over 100 degrees and I felt like I was going to pass out more than once.
(During the first part of the tour, I didn’t have the umbrella. I wish the tour guide would have suggested it from the beginning!)
When you visit the temples, your shoulders and knees must be covered. They don’t even allow a shawl, which is unusual. I noticed many people, particularly those that appeared to be more local, were quite covered up from head to toe. Perhaps if the material is breathable that’s actually cooler, but the real reason may be because they don’t want to get dark skin, as that implies you are a peasant.
After a much needed lunch break in an air conditioned restaurant, we headed to Ta Prohm, made famous by the movie Tomb Raider. This temple was built in the 12th century as a royal monastery by King Jayavarman VII and was dedicated to his mother.
This is just one of several trees over 250 years old whose gigantic roots intertwine with the stones and walls to form a natural roof above the man made structure. It’s quite amazing actually, and unlike anything else in the world I believe.
The tour could have lasted a lot longer, but all I wanted to do was go back to our hotel, take a shower and lie down. I felt like my head was going to implode. I felt like I was going to die, and I had visions of Fisherman having to fly my body back to the states. At least I wouldn’t have to endure another 24 hour flight. π Luckily, our tour guide recommended some medicine which we picked up at a pharmacy on the way back and that helped quite a bit, but not enough for me to want to take the tour on the second day.
I’m writing this in our hotel room, surrounded by tissues, while Fisherman is off on the tour. It stinks that we came all this way to a place we won’t ever return and I can’t make the most of it.
I’ve concluded I don’t do well on long flights. To the best of my recollection, the last time I was sick was four years ago when I was last in Singapore. Airplanes are flying Petri dishes, and I slept a total of five minutes on a 24 hour flight. Throw in going in and out of air conditioned spaces and outside air that feels like a sauna, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
One bright note…I got a complimentary 15 minute massage Tuesday night at the hotel spa which was amazing, and I’ve booked a 60 minute honey tamarind scrub and 45 minute head and shoulder massage tomorrow for a grand total of $35. Yup. You read that right. It almost makes me feel guilty!
Almost.
In other news…
We’ll be heading back to Singapore on Saturday, and I hope by then I’ll be over this damn debilitating cold! I have lots more pictures to share but I will probably wait to post those. I decided to leave my dslr at home, and I’m glad I did. I’m only taking pictures with my cell phone, iPad and GoPro, and I may have a couple of videos to share as well.
kim says
So sorry to hear you’re feeling so rotten, Doreen.
I hope you get better soon!
The structures are amazing.
Julie says
Hello Doreen, oh no so so sorry you are not feeling well. I do hope that you get rest so you can enjoy yourself in beautiful Singapore. Yes Doreen I do remember how hot it is there. It’s like a sauna and very hot for sightseeing. Take care and I can’t wait to see more of your trip.
All the best,
Julie xo
Karen says
Such an amazing place to visit! Sorry your expectations were dampened by being sick π Take Care and feel better soon.
Jan Kibbe says
A good friend of mine who has passed from Alzheimer’s disease son is married to a lovely girl from Cambodia. We attended a wedding ceremony in the Berkshires for them. Debbie and family used to make trips to Cambodia helping with education, building and more. When she passed, we sponsored a child’s education in her memory. So sorry to hear you are under the weather. Get well soon!
Jan and Mark
Cecilia says
How awful to be sick on your trip. I hope you get better quickly and can enjoy the rest of your trip. The temple with the tree roots is amazing. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your photos. Take care, my friend.
Cindy says
How ironic the day I send you an email this popped in, fate, maybe? LOL.
So sorry you’ve been sick. Bad enough when your home. You’re a trooper for hanging in with the one part of the tour. They should give you a heads up that an umbrella to help with heat would help.
That tree pictured is so cool
I don’t blame you for leaving the big camera home. These pictures are fine. Can’t wait to read more.
Cindy
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
Oh Doreen so sorry you got sick. Glad you could do one day of the tour. How miserable for you. Glad you got the massage and wow what a wonderful price. I would go back and get another lol! Safe travels home.
Hugs,
Kris
AnnMarie says
So sorry that happened to you! I totally sympathize because I have been there many times on a vacation. The first day there is a killer for me. I hope you get to enjoy the rest of your time there!
Kim says
Oh no, Doreen, I am so sorry you are not feeling well. I hope that the cold goes away quickly and you can resume your fun abroad. (24 hour flight huh? Yikes!)
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
Hope you feel better pronto so you can enjoy some of your trip!
Brenda
Vashti Q says
I’m so sorry you got sick, Doreen! π I hope you feel better real soon. You’re right, airplanes are petri dishes, especially now that they’re made to really pack a lot of people. Next time I go on a long flight I will be wearing a mask. I love the pictures. I recognized the temple right away because I used to play Tomb Raider on my PlayStation all the time and I also saw the movie. I was obsessed with the Lara Croft character. I’d love to go to Cambodia to see it some day. π xx
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
Oh no…. so sorry you went and got sick. Darn it! Germs just don’t care where we are or what wonderful (once in a lifetime) thing we are doing… they attack anyway. I do so hope you start feeling better soon enough to enjoy the rest of your trip. That tree is amazing! Marilyn
Red Rose Alley says
Doreen,
Wow, you traveled to Singapore! These pictures are so interesting. I bet it was quite an experience visiting the temple in Ta Prohm. These trees are amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it. I have a thing for nature’s trees, and these are really unusual and grand. How neat that the roots intertwine with the stone and walls to form a natural roof.
I hope you feel better. I guess it’s not unusual getting some kind of germ when we travel across the country. Be well, my friend.
~Sheri
Mary-the boondocks blog says
So sorry to hear that you were not feeling well Doreen. But traveling for 24 hours would sap the energy out of anyone. I travel about 10 hours to get to Greece and have to recover for 2 days. And the heat certainly doesn’t help things. Try to enjoy as much of it as you can. The pictures are stunning. Are you also going to see your daughter?
tammy j says
bless your heart.
there is nothing worse.
when you feel so sick you long to be in your own home.
I hope the rest of the trip finds you feeling much better.
no…
make that… WELL!
love and a huge snoopy hug flying its way to you. XOβ₯
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
That absolutely stinks my Darlin’!! I should have told you to beef up on Airborne before you left. I swear by that stuff and it’s a great thing to take before you’re in the flying petri dish to help fight off that crud! My Dad & step Mom just got back from Ireland and she’s the same way. I didn’t tell her either (obviously) ;P
Although I gotta admit I felt a little less bad for you after reading about your AMAZING massage rate over there. Holy hell that’s awesome!! I might have to fly over there just so I can get a 3 hour head to toe everything -wouldn’t that be delicious? Lol π
Truly tho – feel better sweet Gal and try to enjoy all that you can for the rest of your time.
xoxo
Dewena says
Are you feeling better now? What rotten luck getting sick during this much looked forward to trip. And you’re so much more braver than I would ever be. The 100 degree temps would have scared me off to begin with. I hope the massages got your lymph circulation going in the right direction to speed the cold right out of your pores pronto. Now back to enjoy more of fabulous Singapore? Take care, brave girl!
Emily says
Doreen, I’m so sorry you came down with the awful cold, and yes flying for long distances sets the stage for getting sick! I sure hope you are feeling better now and won’t have to miss any of the amazing sights you planned to visit. I am enjoying all of your photos and reading about the sites knowing I will never travel to that part of the world, so please keep them coming. Take care and post often, hugs from homeβ¦β¦β¦β¦..
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
I do hope you feel better soon to enjoy the rest of your stay!
Debbie from MountainMama says
Oh, my poor friend!! That just stinks, I’m so sorry you got sick and are missing out on the tour! Feel better and safe travels!
Amy says
Oh, no, Doreen! Sorry you had to miss day 2 of your tour, but hope that by the time you read this, you are feeling better (maybe that spa treatment helped!). The photos are spectacular, dslr, or not! Enjoy the rest of the trip!
Feral Turtle says
Oh I am so sorry for you Doreen. I sure hope a speedy recovery hits you as fast as this bug. I am looking forward to more pictures for sure. Cambodia sounds and looks beautiful!
Valerie says
It stinks being sick while your on vacation. Praying you feel better soon. I’m loving the pics.
Marsha says
I hope you are feeling better and can enjoy the wonderful opportunity to travel. I can’t wait to hear more about your trip and that you will be fully recovered and in best of health. You are correct, airplanes can be toxic. Our recruiters were always coming back with the shared bug or flu. That massage sounds awesome. I would be there getting a massage at least once a week. Enjoy your time abroad and best wishes for good health.
Pinky says
OMGoodness, I am SO sorry!!!That really does stink. But I have to tell you, I so admire you that you can get on a plane and fly 24 HOURS!!!! I have trouble getting to Florida! I hope you are feeling better by now. XO
Jemma says
Doreen,
I would imagine that by now you are feeling much better and I do believe that I saw your man on a fishing boat with a sardine!
Glad that you found some medicine and an umbrella.
What an amazing place to visit, I am wishing you well and I hope with all of my heart that you are healthy and strong too!
xx
Jemma
Kelly says
Gosh I know it must be so frustrating to be sick while you’re on this amazing vacation!!! Bad timing for sure. It does sound like the plane trip triggered it though. I’ve never been anywhere close to where you are so I’m very intrigued by your trip and the pics you shared. I hope that you continue to get better and can begin having fun. The massage sounds like it will be a good place to start!
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Hope you are feeling better by now. At least you got to see some of the sites and perhaps enough rest to continue on the duration of your trip. That temple is fascinating. Seeing it in person, even if you were under the weather had to have been amazing. Enjoy the rest of your trip and might I suggest a massage at each stop? xo
Vicky Hunt says
As we say in the SOuth…Bless your heart! I am so sorry you were too sick to enjoy the first day and not be able to attend the second day of the tour. I would have been so upset as I’m sure you were. I had asked about your flight time in my comment on the Singapore post but you just answered it here. OH MY GOSH! How on Earth did you do it? 24 hours! Was it a straight flight? I was so miserable after a 12 hour flight…I can’t imagine twice that long. But, if my daughter lived there, I would do it too! Off to catch up some more! π