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MeznG. In the air, on the road, river or sea again
Our day started with a swim in the pool just outside our door followed by showers and beautiful breakfast . We got a tuk tuk to Sister Srey cafe where we meet Sam in preparation for our surprise tour.
At 10 am we are picked up Buntha and the driver Guan and we head out of town towards the temple area. Out in the middle of nowhere we stop and Buntha says now we ride.
Out if the van comes 4 mountain bikes and once we are fitted for size and all adjusted we head off down the dirt road. It is hot! We ride past rice fields, people working in their fields little children calling out to us and we are passed by trucks and tuk tuks and motos. We turn off the road and head along a dirt track. The bikes are quite comfortable with excellent suspension which is most welcome as we/ I manage to find every pothole there is. As I said its hot and I need to stop for a break. What's the quickest way to get off a bike and freak everyone out at the same time .... Fall off of course! I was fine, pulled the thorns out of my hands and dusted myself off all good.
Continuing on with a couple more stops in the shade passing water buffalo, dogs, chooks,
ducks and of all things ostriches. The boys were worried about me at times, I am so fat and unfit but I think I was a good excuse for them to take a break too.
Finally we could see our van at the end of the track. The ride was around 10km and in 30+ degrees it was a good effort.
A very short walk into the bush and we arrive at our lunch spot at the base of a temple Pra Rat So. There are 3 towers still standing and would date back to 9th century. Laid out on the ground are mats and cushions and we have a picnic lunch under the trees next to the temple. It is an idyllic setting.
After lunch we climb back into the van and drive a short distance and now we walk. The walk is along the edge of the East Baray passing rice fields and houses.The track is sandy but relatively flat and it's interesting to see the locals going about their normal afternoon activities, some working, cutting wood for fires for cooking or tending to their animals or some laying in hammocks under their houses. We did pass one house and a pig was squealing loudly so not sure what was going on there but possibly he was going to be dinner!
We arrive at a Buddhist temple and we can either continue to walk or take the van and drive the rest of the way. We opt for the van and enjoy a comfortable drive back to Siem Reap but on the way we see some monkeys near the road, probably waiting to accost some tourists to get some food.
It's been a great day and we are welcomed back to Shinta Mani with cold face washers and the promise of a neck and shoulder massage at the pool.
To our hot bodies the water feels refreshing momentarily and it's very nice to just float for awhile. Sam comes to join us for a swim and he arrives in time to witness our massage and also to enjoy the ice cream cones that are distributed around the pool.
It's nice to sit and relax in such a nice environment.
Later we head into town to a bar called Miss Wongs, named after a well known painting by Russian Artist Vladimir Tretchicoff. The cocktails are good, the beer is cold and the Pork Wontons are delicious.
For dinner we go to Viva, a Mexican restaurant near but not on Pub Street. We have a nice meal with Sam before he heads to Yolo Bar to join his friends and DJ. We talk a short stroll through the streets and lanes before climbing into a very fancy tuk tuk for the ride home.
At 10 am we are picked up Buntha and the driver Guan and we head out of town towards the temple area. Out in the middle of nowhere we stop and Buntha says now we ride.
Out if the van comes 4 mountain bikes and once we are fitted for size and all adjusted we head off down the dirt road. It is hot! We ride past rice fields, people working in their fields little children calling out to us and we are passed by trucks and tuk tuks and motos. We turn off the road and head along a dirt track. The bikes are quite comfortable with excellent suspension which is most welcome as we/ I manage to find every pothole there is. As I said its hot and I need to stop for a break. What's the quickest way to get off a bike and freak everyone out at the same time .... Fall off of course! I was fine, pulled the thorns out of my hands and dusted myself off all good.
Continuing on with a couple more stops in the shade passing water buffalo, dogs, chooks,
ducks and of all things ostriches. The boys were worried about me at times, I am so fat and unfit but I think I was a good excuse for them to take a break too.
Finally we could see our van at the end of the track. The ride was around 10km and in 30+ degrees it was a good effort.
A very short walk into the bush and we arrive at our lunch spot at the base of a temple Pra Rat So. There are 3 towers still standing and would date back to 9th century. Laid out on the ground are mats and cushions and we have a picnic lunch under the trees next to the temple. It is an idyllic setting.
After lunch we climb back into the van and drive a short distance and now we walk. The walk is along the edge of the East Baray passing rice fields and houses.The track is sandy but relatively flat and it's interesting to see the locals going about their normal afternoon activities, some working, cutting wood for fires for cooking or tending to their animals or some laying in hammocks under their houses. We did pass one house and a pig was squealing loudly so not sure what was going on there but possibly he was going to be dinner!
We arrive at a Buddhist temple and we can either continue to walk or take the van and drive the rest of the way. We opt for the van and enjoy a comfortable drive back to Siem Reap but on the way we see some monkeys near the road, probably waiting to accost some tourists to get some food.
It's been a great day and we are welcomed back to Shinta Mani with cold face washers and the promise of a neck and shoulder massage at the pool.
To our hot bodies the water feels refreshing momentarily and it's very nice to just float for awhile. Sam comes to join us for a swim and he arrives in time to witness our massage and also to enjoy the ice cream cones that are distributed around the pool.
It's nice to sit and relax in such a nice environment.
Later we head into town to a bar called Miss Wongs, named after a well known painting by Russian Artist Vladimir Tretchicoff. The cocktails are good, the beer is cold and the Pork Wontons are delicious.
For dinner we go to Viva, a Mexican restaurant near but not on Pub Street. We have a nice meal with Sam before he heads to Yolo Bar to join his friends and DJ. We talk a short stroll through the streets and lanes before climbing into a very fancy tuk tuk for the ride home.
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