Cambodia - Bavel

I wake up at 4:00 a.m, I still haven't really decided which way to go. Easy beach or hard adventure? Yesterday's ride was very tough and caught me by surprise. I got soft on that island, the payback is suffering from cramps and a sore butt.

By 6:00 a.m. I make up my mind. I'm going! I have to get out of Thailand before my visa runs out so I have to go to this border anyway. Motivate and light the fire!

At the border I have to adjust from organized Thai to chaotic Cambodian. They got me for an extra $13 on the Visa and the police officer who I mentioned it to just smiles and laughs and says yes that's how it goes!

I asked if there is an ATM and I get "yes no there's no ATM" - Cambodians will always say yes even when it's no, or they have no idea what you're talking about. I ride around and find a bank, but it will only give me one very crisp brand new $100 bill, which I take to an exchange outfit and receive local currency. I try for a SIM card but we couldn't get that one to work. A superb avocado smoothie and an ice cold coffee drink boost the power drive and I'm off!

64 more km to Bavel. I've got this. I'm back to being a traveling cyclist. Sometimes you really have to kick yourself in the butt to get back in the groove.

The Cambodians are great, hellos and smiles come from all over the place as you fly by, lots of joy!

I have the impression I am the only white guy in Bavel. There is an incredible amount of construction, industrial and agricultural business activity but it's all on an individual small scale. You see it by all the vehicles and how busy everybody is. The young kids of the restaurant owner were funny, we were making gestures at each other and laughing, great people in Cambodia.Read more