Cycle ride - 26th November 2011

So the cycling club of Kampong Cham has been set up and we have had our first outing. On Saturday myself, Basti (German volunteer at BSDA), Beate (Dutch, good friend and my partner in crime on the trip), Antonio (Italian MSF worker), Manisha (American MSF worker) and Leticia (Belgium MSF worker) all departed on a trip to Wat Hanchey however this time we were going to go inland and not along the river road. We set off at 7am, knowing the direction we had to go in but not the actual way!!
We headed in land towards the old airstrip and then knew we had to turn right!! Four hours later we found Wat Hanchey!! It was a long and dusty trip and the return home only took us 1.5 hours along the river! We had such a laugh and it was amazing to get off the beaten track - I think I said hello to more people than ever before on this trip - everyone shouts hello when they see a 'barang' go past especially when they don't see many passing usually - I think we all amused many locals along the way - they thought we were mad....
So here we go - apologies for the amount of photos but it was just such a good day....
By the way it turns out that we cycled around 50k....

Me and my trusty stead - at the beginning of the trip.

We cycled through the first temple to much amusement of the locals who wished us well on our trip along with much laughter...

You get use to sharing the road with many different things out here in Cambodia

Just checking everything is ok - by the way have you seen that my bike has been pimped by my friend Dari - she made the pink tassles that are handing off the handlebars for good luck.

This hill was just too long and we walked the last little bit.

Morning light coming down the road

Cycling through one of the markets first thing on our way out of Kampong Cham

The view outside were I live first thing in the morning - I am a lucky girl...

First pit stop at the old american airstrip - me, Beate and Leticia

This is the old American airstrip which is on the outskirts of Kampong Cham - this was used for the B52 Bombers to land and load before taking off and destroying whole cities - the strip hasn't been used since the Khmer Rouge took control.

Traditional ways of farming are still the ways of doing things over here

Gateway into the first of the Wats (temples) on our trip

Not sure why there were all these tyres on the fence - but I really liked the look of it...

The lovely Beate

All houses are on stilts here due to flooding and also because the animals usually occupy some of the space under the house - along with the day bed area for the family as it is the coolest place during the day

I love this little old lady in her doorway with her cow underneath the house resting

You might think that they have to still finish off the house and cut the wood panels but no this is how they leave them usually! Loving the larder up to this house... not sure it would take a 'Barang' (foreigner)!

Anyone for bread or cakes....

my reflection

Beate looking free and easy cycling through the rice fields.

The first of many occasions when we asked the way and got the response of - 10km more!!

First port of call for a refreshing palm sugar drink.

It is okay when you are going down the hill.... as long as you don't think of the other side when you have to go up!

This is the way the hay is transported along with everything else over here - it is amazing what you can fit on the back of a moto.

This was beside the road - it is used to send offerings and blessings out to float on the water - it has candle holders on each of the corners

They do bunting so well out here!!

A new crop of rice that has just been planted on the flood plains - this was under water a month ago..

Luckily this was dead as it was huge...

Cotton trees I think....or thats what we were told (I think)

Snack time...

Playing chicken with the cattle was an interesting game and I usually lost - they were more stubborn than I was!

Beautiful and edible flowers for sale

Beate trying to over take me!!

Manisha cheating and getting pulled along by 3 school girls on a moto

The water a 3 weeks ago was up to where the trees are

This was all water up until recently - right up to the palms and bank at the forefront of this picture

All the crops out here are planted so neatly

Pomelos anyone - yummy

Used to be all flooded - and now vibrant green with 2 week old crops growing

The cattle have eaten all the hay...

Now if you saw my blog about the egg eating you will be pleased to see this is where they store the eggs while they are aging....

Pots, pans, dusters anyone....

This was all flooded a couple of weeks ago - so hard to believe really

Farmers are out in force at the moment planting up all the fertile ground that has appeared since the water levels have dropped.

My trusty and necessary hat

Farm workers busy at work everywhere planting the fertile soil

Bedsheets, sarongs and hammocks anyone...

My very muddy legs and feet at the end of the ride...

The boys - Basti and Antonio...feeling very proud as they beat the girls home (we let them...)

T

The girls - me, Beate, Leticia and Manisha all a bit weary!! but still smiling