As was alluded to in the comments of the previous post, Tineke and I went on a bike ride. Up before dawn (nothing new there, amirite?), I made my way across part of Siem Reap to where she was staying, and where the bikes were. We headed off in the gloaming of 5:45 am to beat the heat, and to hopefully get some good light for photos. I’d have to say we were successful on both fronts. It didn’t really heat up a lot while we were pedaling, and the light was interesting and varied.
All I had was my phone camera, while Tineke was toting along an Olympus OM10 digital. I can only imagine how much better her photos are. The highlight, for me, was the beautiful Chrysopelea ornata that we saw on the Phnom Krom temple. More commonly known as either a golden tree snake, or flying snake (yikes!) it was dripping down the wall of the hilltop temple, then disappeared into a crack between the stones. I thought it was really interesting how it was able to grip as it descended, not a part of it fell away to the side or out as it moved. Incredible, at least to me.
As we cruised around the top of the hill, just past the cleared areas were many signs and warnings for mines. So sad that 50 years after the war, there are still areas that are dangerous to even walk away from cleared areas. Tineke told me the small city of Battambang – just a few hours away from Siem Reap – has the highest incidence of amputations, most due to stepping on mines. Such a depressing statistic doesn’t warrant a fact check by me.
We cruised, stopping occasionally to take the odd photo, and made it back to the Big City™ in time for breakfast with a couple of very tasty Long Blacks and Americanos. Don’t ask me the difference! We ate at a nice little place called Brother Bong Cafe. No water pipes or associated THC-transfer mechanisms were available for purchase, despite the name. Just good coffee, good food, good atmosphere, and good company.
All I had was my phone camera, while Tineke was toting along an Olympus OM10 digital. I can only imagine how much better her photos are. The highlight, for me, was the beautiful Chrysopelea ornata that we saw on the Phnom Krom temple. More commonly known as either a golden tree snake, or flying snake (yikes!) it was dripping down the wall of the hilltop temple, then disappeared into a crack between the stones. I thought it was really interesting how it was able to grip as it descended, not a part of it fell away to the side or out as it moved. Incredible, at least to me.
As we cruised around the top of the hill, just past the cleared areas were many signs and warnings for mines. So sad that 50 years after the war, there are still areas that are dangerous to even walk away from cleared areas. Tineke told me the small city of Battambang – just a few hours away from Siem Reap – has the highest incidence of amputations, most due to stepping on mines. Such a depressing statistic doesn’t warrant a fact check by me.
We cruised, stopping occasionally to take the odd photo, and made it back to the Big City™ in time for breakfast with a couple of very tasty Long Blacks and Americanos. Don’t ask me the difference! We ate at a nice little place called Brother Bong Cafe. No water pipes or associated THC-transfer mechanisms were available for purchase, despite the name. Just good coffee, good food, good atmosphere, and good company.
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