our campsite at Monodendri

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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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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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Nong Khiaw and Elephants!

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