I'm happy this trip came to a good end!! I estimate the whole distance around 4000km, what is pretty good, considering the size of Cambodia. One day I might be back in Cambodia for some more riding, but this might take very long (or will never happen), as there are many other projects that would be done before (e.g. riding in Laos ;)
To get back to the highway, I took some small road with two river crossings with ferries. That was fun!! :) especially the second time, when caption and crew were three little kids (that were even ripping me off with the fare ;) but it was cheap anyway and I was happy not to be delayed, but just to drive on their raft with small external motor. The middle part was very sandy for it led basically through the jungle and I could not imagine how the French guy did this with his bicycle. Chapeau! ;) It was very tiring and I was happy when the road got better. Dropped the bike four times in the sand (very slow going) and got cramps in my fingers from grabbing the handle bar so hard :P ..but a cool stretch to do.. way better and more interesting than the paved main road ;)
In Stung Treng, where I spent the night, I met the most interesting people ever in Cambodia. One guy cycling here from England and two other people traveling the Ho-Chi-Ming trail on a small (and shitty :P motorbike. I think, it's important to have a good set up. Just driving a bike because it was cheap to buy it might not be the best reason and not as much fun as it could be.
so I got a bottle of Pastis and we drank and talked for some hours.
Then the next morning I woke up hangovery :P it was OK to drive but needed to drink a lot of water to get hydrated again. Then I was riding down along the Mekong river, passing many little villages along the way. In Kampong Cham (where also a Muslim minority is living), I got at least three times as much "hello" as during the whole trip.. people there are really friendly!! :) some even invited me for a beer and presented me some girls ;) yes.. it's really an adventure to drive through Cambodia!
then I stayed on my way down in Kampong Cham town, where there is a bridge over the Mekong river (haven't seen any further up). Met also some interesting people and had good conversations (was also talking a lot.. catching up after all these days ;). I made a short trip out to the old airstrip (there are just the ruins from the tower and an old bunker and the airstrip is now part of the road and in very bad shape. But it gave me nice memories from five years ago, when I also rode out with a bike (same one ;) and checked this place out. I was doing good keeping up with Yoga and exercises the last days. Will see that I can do this as well in India!
Today I got up at 5.30AM and got on the bike and drove it back to PP. Returning it was no problem at all. They didn't even charge me the foot-holder that broke off quite early in my trip. Was all very affordable and good bike! ..thinking that I put just 4000km on it and used the chain for 2/3 and the back tire 50% it was well worth the price!
all my clothes are in the laundry now and there's only one more thing to do (next to packing ;) and that is to get my passport tomorrow afternoon.
okay.. I'm having a beer and joining the table next to me ;) ..you'll hear from me..
To get back to the highway, I took some small road with two river crossings with ferries. That was fun!! :) especially the second time, when caption and crew were three little kids (that were even ripping me off with the fare ;) but it was cheap anyway and I was happy not to be delayed, but just to drive on their raft with small external motor. The middle part was very sandy for it led basically through the jungle and I could not imagine how the French guy did this with his bicycle. Chapeau! ;) It was very tiring and I was happy when the road got better. Dropped the bike four times in the sand (very slow going) and got cramps in my fingers from grabbing the handle bar so hard :P ..but a cool stretch to do.. way better and more interesting than the paved main road ;)
In Stung Treng, where I spent the night, I met the most interesting people ever in Cambodia. One guy cycling here from England and two other people traveling the Ho-Chi-Ming trail on a small (and shitty :P motorbike. I think, it's important to have a good set up. Just driving a bike because it was cheap to buy it might not be the best reason and not as much fun as it could be.
so I got a bottle of Pastis and we drank and talked for some hours.
Then the next morning I woke up hangovery :P it was OK to drive but needed to drink a lot of water to get hydrated again. Then I was riding down along the Mekong river, passing many little villages along the way. In Kampong Cham (where also a Muslim minority is living), I got at least three times as much "hello" as during the whole trip.. people there are really friendly!! :) some even invited me for a beer and presented me some girls ;) yes.. it's really an adventure to drive through Cambodia!
then I stayed on my way down in Kampong Cham town, where there is a bridge over the Mekong river (haven't seen any further up). Met also some interesting people and had good conversations (was also talking a lot.. catching up after all these days ;). I made a short trip out to the old airstrip (there are just the ruins from the tower and an old bunker and the airstrip is now part of the road and in very bad shape. But it gave me nice memories from five years ago, when I also rode out with a bike (same one ;) and checked this place out. I was doing good keeping up with Yoga and exercises the last days. Will see that I can do this as well in India!
Today I got up at 5.30AM and got on the bike and drove it back to PP. Returning it was no problem at all. They didn't even charge me the foot-holder that broke off quite early in my trip. Was all very affordable and good bike! ..thinking that I put just 4000km on it and used the chain for 2/3 and the back tire 50% it was well worth the price!
all my clothes are in the laundry now and there's only one more thing to do (next to packing ;) and that is to get my passport tomorrow afternoon.
okay.. I'm having a beer and joining the table next to me ;) ..you'll hear from me..
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