26 degC, 91% humidity, cloudy
Our first non-drink stop, at the 10km mark, was
at a Buddhist temple/Ordination Hall with a meeting hall next to it. Another
15km on we stopped for a drink. Mark had a flat about 1km from the drink stop
which held up the truck with the drinks, but it wasn't for long. We had another
temple stop, Tang Me Temple, before our final stop at 37km. This was where we
removed our saddles and pedals, put the bikes on the back of the truck, jumped
in the bus and drove for about an hour to the border. When we say
"we" we really mean the guides and mechanics did all the work while the
rest of us relaxed! We stopped next to a watermelon and pineapple wholesaler
and the guides bought a pineapple for us all to share. It was really juicy and
very sweet.
At the Thai side of the border the process was
pretty simple; provide your passport and completed departure card, and you are
done. Getting into Cambodia was not too complicated but involved obtaining a
visa first (USD35), and if you didn't have a photo another USD5 for them to use
the photo from your passport. There was another USD3 for tourism tax or some
such thing. USB handled all the entry requirements while we had lunch!
After lunch we had our bikes fitted with saddles
and pedals, had a short brief and were on our way. We were straight into it -
up hill for about 4km, just when you thought you were at the top, there was
another rise. The downhill was fun but there were two more climbs to come.
Whilst they were not real hills, they were the first for this tour and really
tested the legs. The two Germans are finding it really difficult riding on two
fronts - the heat and subsequently the hills.
We had another water stop at a park where there
are six golden horses and a statue of a 16th century King on a horse. This stop
was half way up another hill but it wasn't too difficult and we were soon at
the hotel - Memoria Palace Resort. It is quite rustic in appearance but the rooms
are fantastic. We had 30 mins to shower and change before heading off in the
van to Phnom (Mountain) Yat which is for the Kola Muslim people who make up
only 5% of the Cambodian population and earn a living by selling
gemstones. It was a fairly steep hill and
we therefore had to climb a staircase of 242 steps (to be exact) to get to the
top and after the tougher than usual cycle day it was a struggle. There was a
huge statue of some significance at the top which was quite spectacular. After
descending we visited Grandma Yat Temple. Apparently this area is matriarchal
and one must pay their respects to Grandma.
Everyone else needed to visit an ATM in the hope
of acquiring some Cambodian Rial to spend over the next week or so. Long story
short - the ATM only gave USD only no one realised this until after many failed
attempts. Finally, they all had some money and we were able to return to the
hotel for a pre-dinner drink, and then dinner.
After a short brief about tomorrow's itinerary, it was back to the room
for another shower, teeth brushing and bed.
Pailin was a Khmer Rouge stronghold and is still home to some of the former leaders who are now in jail awaiting their international tribunal hearings.
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