Thursday, December 1, 2016

Day 16: Thu 01 Dec - Sihanoukville to Kampot

28 degC, 68% humidity

Listed: 105km; actual: 99km; total: 699km

Walk: 4km; total: 60km

A scheduled 7:30am start this morning for a 100km ride, so we were up at the usual time, and wolfed down a quick breakfast. We managed to get away just after 7:30 which was good. The hills we did two days ago were on the itinerary again today, and the first 18km were the same. We were on two very main roads today and the traffic did not let up all day. It was good in one way in that it distracted us from the actual riding. 

It was not a very interesting day as we were on the main roads, but we did stop at an oyster processing "shop". Two ladies were trimming the shell and then only cracking them open just a fraction, presumably for someone else to finish the job of opening it, cleaning it and then placing each oyster in its own bag complete with rubber band. Not quite sure what they do with the shells; Greg seems to think they make shell grit from them and add it to chook feed.

The last 20km of the ride today felt like 50km as it was into a VERY strong headwind; almost stopping us in our tracks on a few occasions. Wendy said afterwards that she actually enjoyed the hills two days ago more than the ride today and you know how much she loves hills?! All the rest of the group agreed.

We are staying at the Kampot Diamond Hotel, and there is a funeral happening in the street adjacent to the hotel (they simply erect a marquee in the street and deck in out with tables, chairs, decorations, etc and that's where they have their knees-up) and there is no volume control. We just hope they go to bed at some respectful hour as the windows are not even double glazed. After a relaxing shower, we met in the lobby and went for a walk around the city. The only real difference we noted was there was not so much rubbish laying around. We’ve since found out that funeral wakes go on for three days!!


A short rest was had before we were picked at 6:30pm for dinner at Veronica's. It was within walking distance but we were still bused there. The boys shared their dishes whilst Wendy had her own - pasta carbonara - just to refuel after the ride. We all walked home and stopped for an ice cream (for the boys) and made it home just before the rain came down. The rain also made an early night for the mourning revelers.  


Lunch and lunch stop


A really big load for a motorbike

Anything you can do I can do bigger

Rice drying on the side of the road

Oyster 'shop'


#308 Kampot Diamond Hotel - looks flash but is not really


Our Hotel

View from our room


Colourful French-style buildings

Main street Kampot

The Big Durian roundabout at Kampot

A tree-lined boulevard at Kampot


The foot/cycle only bridge at Kampot by day and night (below)


The funeral wake tent

Dinner venue - Veronica's Kitchen

Cheers!

Wendy, Bob, Mark, Greg and Bill








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  Wendy is very pleased she did the tour, however, will not be rushing back to do any more cycling in that part of the world, anytime soon. ...