Day 13 - Kratie - Kampong Cham City

Early start today to avoid the mid-day sun. 5am we were on the road along the Mekong river towards Phumi Chhlong, which was 35km away along flat tarmac roads. We made good time, think we are starting to get the hang of this cycling thing, so by 7am we were having the normal breakfast , coffee, coffee and more coffee, it tastes wonderful here, even Erika has a couple to get her started.

another temple 

The second leg was a bit more challenging, as they have stuck sleeping policeman every km to slow the traffic, well it worked on us, and one of the bike bags disintegrated, and required surgery before we could continue.

After 80km for the day and 10am, the temperature had hit 40d, and we decided to throw in the towel and get the bus the last 40km to Kampong Cham. Best $9 spent today!
Quick search along the river front and we found a good clean trendy (ish) guest house called Chaplins after Charlie. With Dave Sexton signature on the wall dated 2013, although i think he died in 2012 !

Cute !

The good news, is that we are now just 250km from Siem Reab, so we are planning on another 80km tomorrow, to bring us within touching distance. The 200km detour, has meant a little cheating is required to arrive at SR before Dave and Shereen decide to give up waiting.

All the towns visited in this corner of S.E .Asia, looks like someone had initially grand ideas, and set out the basic infrustucture to high standards, but then the money run out. So everywhere could look like Monaco, with a little more effort and money. Such a shame, but i suppose that's one of characteristics of Asia, that people love.

This afternoon we walked a few km down the river to the bamboo bridge, which is impressive at 1km long.

Koh Pen bamboo bridge

Early night again, as we can smell the finishing line!