Bike, Boat and Van. . .to Siem Reap

We had a full day. We cycled about 50 km. Cambodian roads are very poor but the route was somewhat paved. The major crop today was rice fields.  We had a picnic lunch along the way.  Sharon gave the cildren some stickers and toothbrushes.  We took a boat ride for about an hour (sorry no pix. . .battery low at the time).  The people in that area live on the river. We visited a crocodile "farm"--it had many of all ages.  Siem Reap is a busy area getting several million international visitors each year for Anghor Wat. Our guide has been sick so our van driver has filled in some. . His English is not as good.  We will have an English speaking guide for Anghor Wat.  The room is colonial French style. Unfortunately there were many dog fights during the night. :-(

Cycling in Cambodia Heat

We rode 80 km today and it was hot (29 C). We got a new cyclist from London yesterday.
The poverty is very obvious--but lots of smiles and "hellos".  I am including pictures from a rest stop.  We tooj a short break several times and had lots of water and fruit.  We are spending the night in Battenbong. We had an excursion on the  Cambodia "Bamboo Train"  (google to see details) to watch the sunset.

Cycling in Cambodia

We bicycled 47 km today. We reached the cambodia border at about noon.  Our visas were processed without problems--we had been told it was $25 each but were only charged $20 each so it must have been discount day.  We passed many tapioca farms with them harvesting. The poverty is much more pronouced than in Thailand. The children enjoy waving and yellin "hello" or "banana" (I think one of the few English words they know). We are staying at Memorial Palace & Resort in Pailin City. The Cardamon hills are a focal point.
At the border we changed vans. bikes and  helmets. We have a new driver "Sam". Our guide, Pheap, is doing a good job. His home is Cambodia.

Cycling in Thailand

We had a good cycling day yesterday.  We rode probably 30 miles or more. It got warm by the time we finished. At a morning rest stop we met a cyclist from Switzerland. He stayed with us the rest of the day.  We passed a region that produces sea salt. Many roadside stands with big bags of salt for sale. Our guide orders food and we are enjoying the variety. Both resorts we have stayed in are beyond what we expected. Today we will enter Cambodia.  Our Thai van driver will stay in Thailand and we will get a different van.  We are transported in the am to an area where we start cycling.

Cycling in Thailand

We started cycling yesterday afternoon.  Only went 25 km or so. We have a guide who bicycles leading us. Our driver of the support van is right behind us with flashing lights.  There is one other cyclist in our group who is from Sweden. We feel well cared for and safe. The hotel is very nice oceanview. Our first meal together was excellent seafood thai.  Good curry. The weather is perfect.

Leaving Koh Samet

We will move onto our biking adventure today.  We have had a relaxing visit and seem to be over jetlag.  The curry here has been disappointing so we look fotward to Chiang Mai for that.

Ko Samet (continued)

We are enjoying the island life & saw the sunrise today. There is a nice buffet breakfast each morning.  All of the food is good Thai. We routinely have a snack of sliced fresh mango on the beach. We have both finished our books but the resort has a book exchange.  The water temp is pleasant and the temperature about 80 each day.  The beach is nice with no coral.  We both had beach front massages today.

Ko Samet, Thailand

We are at this island for several days. It is very tropical and the temperature is very pleasant.  We will enjoy the sand and sea. And wonderful thai food. Som tum ( green papaya salad) being made fresh for us on the beach. . .  All is well!

Bangkok

We forgot how grueling it is to get here. Having first class allows you to stretch out and get some sleep on the plane.  As you guessed we had economy at its finest. We get picked up by a car service at our airport hotel and go to Ko Samet for a few days of leisure before our bike ride. Ron was hoping for watermelon for breakfast and was granted his wishes.

On Our Way!

Our flight leaves to SFO soon. . .then a wait for flight to Bangkok.