Ha Noi: Night time arrival and Shocks!

As we came into land there were lights and a city. Mind you, we had just come from Vientiane the capital of Laos and an unexpected stop no one had thought to tell us about!

Phnom Penh International Airport was an odd beast. Few flights, a small terminal and a feeling that we were actually at some minor town was odd for a capital. The drive to the airport was along a route used, I guess by visiting dignitaries.

From down town we drove along the best route in town, evidenced by large new buildings. The largest and best was the Offices of the Council of Ministers, a really sharp building looking like it had been lifted from the Gulf. Given that Cambodia has an annual budget of $2.4 billion (about $10 billion cf GB) then one wonders how they can afford it.

Anyway Ha Noi airport was something different. Large and seething with cars it felt more like a European city. And then we had the driving. After 10 days when the fastest thing was a TukTuk at 10 mph or less we had a maniac whose sole goal was to pass anything. Lights flashing and little anticipation of what was going on in front of him he was the true road hog. It was not an experience I would want to repeat. He would pass a car on the inside and then push back into the queue just as he passed him! This took 50 minutes and if he had been a little more reasonable it would have taken 55 minutes!!

The Hotel proved to be very pleasant! A boutique hotel which means everything is small and tight fitting. But the bed is good so we can get a good nights sleep!! I hope!!