Boxing Day is the big day for sport back home, so even though I’m zillions of miles away I thought I’d show some willing and decided to cycle out to the temples around Angkor Wat. It was a nice ride but the traffic was a bit heavy despite the fact it was only 8.15am – everyone rushing to get to the temple before the hoards of visitors descend. They needn’t have bothered, they were the hoards of visitors.
I was joined for part of the ride by by monkies running alongside the bike. Don’t knoww what make they were but they’re about as big as a medium sized dog and have a tuft of hair between their ears which makes them look 3 eared. A bit later on I had to contend with elephants ferrying tourists to the sites. As elephants go they weren’t that big but you shoulkd have seen the mess they leave on the road – droppings the size of a mini roundadbout.
I spent a few hours cycling round, visiting the Bayon and Ta Phroa temples. It was pretty pleasant in the morning as skies were a bit overcast and there was a breeze. in the afternoon the sun came out though and it was a bit hot to cycle but I battled bravely on and now have nice sunburn on my forehead and arms – very attractive.
There are small cafes opposite each temple and they always charge ridiculously high prices compared to everywhere else but they good places to stop and chat to the local people – all of whom are inavriably very friendly and willing to chat. You also get a lot of very cute young children coming around trying to sell books, postcards, flutes and bangles. They’re invariably funny, intelligent and very articulate and probably not more than 10. Hard to resist but the they should be in school and there are stories that they are controlled by adults who make them work very long and hard hours. Personally, I don’t buy from them, I donate to the various organisations who are dedicated to improving the welfare of these kids but it’s eacj to their own.
The cafe owners have quite a hard time too. They say that tourist numbers are very poor and that the majority of tourists arrive in buses or taxis, get off, look at the temples and then just leave again. If you’re in this part of the world give these folks a break and buy something from them. Even buying food is ok – just don’t think about the kitchen conditions too much.
Ooops – kimda went off at tangent there. Just to finish off on a cycle related theme……..
Cycling round the temples at Angkor Wat is easy so if you come to Siem Reap…DO IT! Unless you’re incredibly rich and can afford to get a mountain bike you’ll end up renting a single speed bone shaker for about 2 dollars. The roads by the main temple at Angkor Wat are being rebuilt so be prepared for a bumpy ride but after that they are fine. There’s not much traffic and what there is moves pretty slowly. The effort is worth it though – you can stop wherever you like, whenever you like and take as much time as you like. If you buy something at one of the cafes you can leve your bike with them, it’ll be safe.
After my day in the saddle I was a bit sunburned, quite dusty and utterly shagged out with aching buttocks from the non existent suspension. But I’ll probably do it all again before I leave Siem Reap.
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