Staying in Siem Reap

 What a whirlwind the last month has been! I'm currently in the process of writing something a bit bigger than this blog, so the last few entries are pretty vague (watch this space!) but seeing that I'm pretty sure it's only my grandparents who read this, you all already know the juicy stories. 

I have decided to stick put in Siem Reap for a while. With my visa extension now lasting until February 2021, 

and no signs of Blighty beckoning me home anytime soon, I think Siem Reap is going to be my best option. Usua

lly the hustle and bustle and hoards of tourists and music battles between superclub Temple Bar and legendary pub Angkor What? is enough to make me appreciate the tranquillity of the island. But take all of that away and you can realise that Siem Reap is a rather charming town, and there is definitely enough to keep me busy.

I've checked into a hostel that is costing me about £50 for the whole month, and it's got A/C and 

a HOT SHOWER. Count me in! There's live music, $1 meals, yoga, new routes to cycle, a new river to run by in the early morning hours, friends here AND a new wakeboard park. Siem Reap is the right place for me right now. 

Not many new updates other than that. 

Water Buffalo water buffaloing 

West Baray Lake

The sun aint always shining in Siem Reap

THE LAST 26 DAYS IN PHOTOGRAPHS

And, sorry, not sorry, there's a lot.

Leaving Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham and The Mekong Delta 

One of my nights staying at a temple, in maybe a less desirable town.

getting covered in dust every time someone passes

More lightening. About 30 minutes before it hit us. 

 Mondulkiri and Hills 

The beginning of the National Parks. 

Cycling about 20 minutes before complete darkness, 20km before the next noted building on a map, a thunderstorm rapidly approaching and a flat backtire...oh and a 600m incline up a mountain. Never been so happy to see a power station to sleep for the night.

foggy mountain mornings

Worth it for the sunrises and sunsets

that is not a nipple 

Ting Mongs 

Like we have scarecrows to well...scare crows. In Cambodia they have Ting Mongs to scare away bad spirits and protect their houses. That's why some are wearing surgical masks, carrying replica guns or machetes...and well, who knows why that one has got a spliff in his mouth. The Khmer have got a sense of humor for sure. Here's a small selection of my favourites.

Tribal Cemetery in Ratanakiri Province 

A traditional cemetery for the Tumpoun people.

"Cemeteries have been set up near Tumpoun villages because people do not want their deceased to be far away and the villagers must carry the body to the cemetery. Tumpoun cemeteries are separated into areas for those who died a "normal death" and accidental death. Families visit their deceased relatives after they have been buried for five days to check whether they need food.
The structures above the grave symbolizes a house for the deceased. Graves are decorated with various items. Relatives of the deceased provide the deceased with the materials they used in their life. For example, if they were a farmer, they would be left farming equipment because they will use their tools in their next life. If the family forgets some tools the ghost of the deceased will come back to ask for them."

Ratanakiri

Jerky at the market 

Waterfall camping 

Waterfall camping PRE rain

Walking down the stairs the night before, the morning after the way up wasn't so easy. 

Didn't want to use the stairs anyway

Lady and her egg sac, or half a pringle. not sure.

 Pagoda Life

Big drum makes a big sound. Even bigger when you sleep next to it and they hit it at 4am. Multiple times.

Across The River From Laos

Looking for the stone I've lost...

Some places I've slept the night have been more beautiful than others. 

Preah Vihear Province 

Pursat Preah Vihear Temple. It took me over an hour to climb the almost 3000 stairs here for sunrise. 

my lil rocky moment. well deserved maybe, a mountain and 90km in one day. 

The Preah Vihear Province of Cambodia has one of the highest rates of injuries and fatalities in the world from landmines. 

Bicycle Graveyard

"how many legs has a millipede got?"