SE Asia by bike

Found this massive torri in meiji-jingu park.

These are just a few snaps I took over the last few days at Angkor. I'm truly impressed by the scale and beauty of the place. Ive cycled forty kms each day and there are many more temples to visit.

I left Battambang after ten days. This is the infamous boat ride to Siem reap. We often couldn't turn quickly enough to take some tight bends in the river and instead came to a halt on the opposite bank. The man on the front would pole us back into the middle and away we would chug. There was only one point where we broke down and everyone was relieved to have a little peace and quiet from the incessant chatter of the engine. We were off again in ten minutes after they sent someone overboard with a spanner.

Here I am, in Battambang. I've come to the end of my journey, four and a half months on the road. I have until the 30th to relax and take in as much of Cambodia as I can and so far I have no reason to leave Battambang for Siem reap. The markets are busy, streets are quiet and the tourists are quietly absorbed by the various bars and resteraunts without overtaking the local population and infrastructure. There are also many young people working for ngos here and more long term residents than short stay backpackers so between the two hostels in town it is easy to meet passionate people. I've spent the last three days staying on the rooftop of the royal hotel for four dollars per night. Its cheap, its noisy in the morning and the shared toilet and shower is very basic. Today I upgraded to the 'paris hotel' because I was sick of climbing stairs. Now I have a fridge, private bathroom, balcony and double bed for the measly fee of six dollars per night. Outrageously cheap. Most nights I play pool with my mate Seayvi at the Ganesha bar and hostel but its just a quick cycle across the river to the 'here be dragons' hostel were we live it up with some intense table tennis. There are also a bunch of old temples outside of town including one I visited yesterday called Ek Phnom. Its from the 11th century (pre Angkor) and its stone archways are now leaning at impossible angles. I managed to leave at four and make it home before dark but cycling home was like smoking a pack of ciggarettes. The smoke from cooking fires and rubbish burning had created a bit of a haze the whole way home.

The security bars on my window in my four dollar rooftop room swing aside nicely. Battambang wakes up early so I wake up early.

Kampong chnang in the evening.

Haha, thats a great coincidence! Yes I remember you from Pai as well. I too have to go home soon and start a new routine (university) which is both sad and exciting. All the best to you.

Today I rode from Oudongk to Kampong cham, passed the 3000km mark, got a haircut, had my mind blown by these villages and decided to celebrate with a kilogram of mangos. Cambodia is such a fertile country but its clear that it needs a bit of love.