Cambodia, Cardamom mountains, 5 days fun and pain

[charles960]

Great Stuff!
Gives us sick in bed with the cold something to do.
Wonderful pictures, etc.
Charles

[woopwoop]

thanks for the great report gavo. looks like a fantastic trip.

[gavo]

Originally Posted by charles960

Great Stuff!
Gives us sick in bed with the cold something to do.
Wonderful pictures, etc.
Charles

Glad To have some therapeudic value Thanks

[gavo]

Originally Posted by woopwoop

thanks for the great report gavo. looks like a fantastic trip.

Had An absolute ball Dave, Ta

[gavo]

Morning of the last day i was a bit sad I would have liked to go another couple of days at least
It was a bit foggy in the morning likely because of all the rain the day before



we sat around and waited for the sun to break through and dry a bit of riding gear.
This woman wandered up to the house selling her wares house to house, something edible if i remember

We hit the road many back tracks, farms some forest both growing and cleared, and you know I think muddy tracks that have dried out are worse than when there muddy, all that hard mud becomes big bumps
Not a lot of pic's again just a vid
This town were we stopped for fuel I know not were but it had a great view of the mountains

[gavo]

The Mrs was happy to see me back in one piece





and the vid


We stayed in Cambodia another 8 days travelling from Battambang by boat to Siem Reap for a couple of days and then bus to Phnom Penh
I'd like to thank dancing roads for once again putting together a great trip.

[lockie]

Great ride report
I hope to head over next October and use Dancing roads tours they seam to know how to lead a great ride

[gavo]

Originally Posted by lockie

Great ride report
I hope to head over next October and use Dancing roads tours they seam to know how to lead a great ride

I've been twice in October/ November, thats just at the "end" of the wet season, November to January, cooler plus drier.Flooding can be a real problem as can the heat in the tight technical stuff. Have fun

[Rumble]

Finally just got around to reading this RR Gav. Was making me wanting to go there and ride myself. Will happen oneday

[gavo]

Battambang is a town I really liked, very layed back but with plenty of things to see in the area.

As Cambodia no longer has a functioning rail network, the Bamboo train has novelty value and uses a few Km of rail from a long dead network. The trip leads to a small village which has a brick works.
The platform is wood and bamboo and drive is supplied by a small engine and drive is achieved through a V belt and pully with tension on the belt provided by sliding the engine and using a stick for leverage
Our driver

dismantling to allow traffic to pass



The brick works and our self appointed guides,Twins, good English and knowledgeable.





and a little vid

[PirateSeaCaptain]

Never underestimate the power of the Scarf.

[gavo]

Originally Posted by PirateSeaCaptain

Never underestimate the power of the Scarf.

Locally it's called a croma and they're terrific for keeping the sun off the neck, face etc also good for filtering dust when riding

[PirateSeaCaptain]

A Croma? I need a few, it's a good look. Rule #1, Look Cool.

Great videos, by the way. Enjoyed the RR.

[gavo]

South west of Battambang is a place called PhnomSampeou, it is also were you''ll find the killing caves
This is the temple on top of the hill, access is gained by a ride on a motor bike( wife and her sister) or by walking up the road or stairs, for the fit/ stupid, me , it wasn't that bad and good views










The views around this place are fantastic as it rises from the surrounding plains













the stair which I came down don't look often used


The we went to Banan temple about 12km away
More F#*^king stair





a much older place than the previous one






and if you look closely you can see Phnom Sampeou on the far mountain

[gavo]

Ok ,last installment, the boat trip from Battambang to Siem Reap Highly recommended.
A ferry runs along the river from Battambang through the northern section of Tonle sap lake to about 20kms from Siem reap.
Of course all this varies according to the time of year and how much rain has fallen and the trip can be 8 or 18 hours and you may have to get off and push
In November when this is it's just after the wet season and because this year the rains were moderate levels were about middle of the road.
This trip is described in some books as one of the best for scenery, views of village life and to see how locals use the ferry to receive supplies and visit the major towns from the small floating villages.











Because many paths are made through the mangroves etc that grow in the lake there is a problem with branches whipping through the window which hurts or you could lose an eye ,so at one stage everyone stood in the middle of the boat



picking up supplies from the ferry




bit of a weed problem


another drop off point




and the video. Hope you enjoy.