As ever, coffee is a priority and I was loading up ready to head to last nights coffee shop. In the hotel car park a conversation started between me and about 5 or 6 Asian guys, smartly dressed in shirt and tie. They liked to hear about my journey and planned journey. It was all very casual. I saw one snapping a photo of me, looking like a human dust cloud as I headed off waving goodbye.
Outside the coffee shop was a Police checkpoint, they all stood as I approached, “here we go!” I thought. But no, they saw I was looking for a parking spot and simply moved their gazebo aside for me to park. I had Mt coffee and picked up a small tub of biscuits. On leaving I had a quick chat with the officers who were looking at a 12hr shift with only the gazebo to stave off the heat. I gave them the biscuits and headed off.
On a long straight stretch of road I saw two white 4×4 cars coming up behind me. It’s not unusual for vehicles not giving you much room but the road was really clear and these cars slowed right down. As the first one passed there were 4 guys, windows down, cheering and waving. As the second one passed with the same exuberant whoops and cheers, it dawned on me it was the well dressed guys from the hotel car park. I waved and cheered back, laughing out loud.
Back on the road, the bike cruising happily and that let’s my mind wander, still concentrating but thoughts swirl in my head. I’m riding a bike that cost less than the phone clamped to the bars, weirdly I had two phones on the bars, charging, along with my 360 camera that equates to about a years wages for the people I had met, so far. This little bike has taken me on a huge adventure and I was loving it. At this point I was jolted back to reality as a bus coming towards me was overtaking a scooter, with a lorry looking to overtake that and a car overtaking the lorry. Barely enough room for all of us, but we got through.
I have worked in tunneling for about 7 years and that has allowed me to save money like a man possessed and thanks to that, I have been able to travel. I enjoyed my time tunnelling and hopefully that trade remains open to me if I overspend.
I had booked a hotel in Siem Reap, knowing I would want to be staying for a few days. When I got there it was excellent. Just a minute from Pub Street that is the centre of the nightlife. I found a Mexican resteraunt and had enchiladas.
It was Saturday evening and there was a big procession in town. I didnt know it but it marked the passing of Budda. That in itself would have an impact on tomorrow’s trip.
Having had a few beers, about midnight, I headed back to the hotel to see what time I was being picked up…… 04.45hrs
Earth, Wind and Tyres 