Tirana pics

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We're exploring SE Asia

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A Khmer Happy New Year from Siem Reap in Cambodia!  Noel and I are almost recovered from our 39-hour trip to get here and are enjoying a new region for both of us.  We're here to start a 16-day supported bike tour to Ho Chi Minh City.  From there we fly to Laos for a week+ before returning to Cambodia for a few days of island time.   We did not try these fried goodies at the spider market en route from Pnohm Penh to Siem Reap.  The food's been very good, even if pictures are lacking so far.   We spent the first day wandering around Siem Reap getting used to the tropical heat. In a park we found this pro-peace art project.  Fortunately Thailand and Cambodia implemented a cease fire before we arrived (we're staying far from the conflict area along the border). Display of 1000 Buddhas in the Angkor National Museum. Today we got up early for a birding ...
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930 miles and 74,000' climbed

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I finished the southern third of the Western Wildlands route at Bryce Canyon. Noel and Margo drove out to pick me up, see the scenery and do some hiking.  Nice to be back with family after a nice ride! From Marble Canyon I rode through Vermilion Cliffs past this condor viewing site, where a trio of hikers included me in their very tasty post-hike celebration. I climbed, slowly, up and was looking for a camp site when I heard "Jeff" and turned around. Lee was the only other bikepacker I met going any distance.  He rode the Arizona Trail (longer and harder) which overlaps with and crosses the Western Wildlands.  We camped together and then shared a hotel room in Kanab the next night.  I enjoyed having company. Fortunately it wasn't Sunday... shake was better than the sandwich. Kanab is seeing an influx of remote workers, retirees and the wealthy.  But still has some his...
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An action-packed tour begins

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We started our bike tour with a bang, riding in the dark to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat.  It's very impressive, especially the detailed sculpture... And plenty of tourists... With the bikes we cruised around to see other temples easily. Including one with a selfie crowd... Not unnecessary - Peter, a Kiwi in our group, had a macaque jump on him! That night we had a nice dinner at Hoem's (tour leader) house.  There are 8 in the group, 3 from New Zealand and 3 from Australia ( a mom and 2 teenager boys on their first international trip!) besides us.  Hoem drives the SAG van and Buntry guides the riders while Ra, who's a bike mechanic, rides sweep. Day 2 we rode 50km through the countryside with a 4-hour boat ride in the middle. Fishing sustains the people in the wetlands, but not very well judging by the liv...
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