Batta-bing Battambang

The drive from Siem Reap to Battambang took less than 3-hours.  The scenery was the Cambodian equivalent of Saskatchewan, with flat wide open farming fields.  The main differences were that they were growing rice instead of grain, it was a lot hotter, and there were fewer mosquitoes.

We were sorry to leave Siem Reap and probably even more so when we got our first look at Battambang.  It was noted in our travel book for its old French architecture, but as he quickly learned it wasn't exactly SE Asia's version of Paris.  However, it wasn't a terrible place and our hotel and especially its pool was really nice.  This was good as Thipp was a bit under the weather, so we spent a lot of time there.

Our travel book had all kinds of suggestions for things to do during our three days in Battambang.  Besides wandering round the centre of town our only adventure was going to the Bat Cave where every night at around sun-set approximately one-million bats exite their cave over about a one-hour period (we didn't stay for the end).  Well, you can't say that you see that every day.

Our hotel had only a few other guests because although it's inexpensive by our standards, it's more than what the backpacking crowd wants to pay.  It was great as at times it felt like our own private resort.  Alex loved being in the pool's relatively warm water (I would estimate 85-90 degree Frht) and on our last day had three swims.  We even had our last dinner at the poolside and once the staff got over their initial bafflement they rallied by providing candles, making for an almost romantic dinner or the three of us.