Cycling Cambodia – CNCF Cycle Challenge
Prey Veng – Kampong Charm
BBQ Banana sold on the road side near Kampong Charm - Cambodia
Today was to taken us a total of 75km along well made roads, but off the highway! After a short in the Prey Veng Market for some photo op’s and to buy some fresh fruits for our journey, we hit the road.
Following the Mekong we headed out of town to find more amazing greens and yellows of the Cambodian rice fields. A little further, we began to ride through rubber tree plantations which were a nice change as they provide cool shade as the day heated up. It was here we stopped for a picnic lunch with the goodies brought in Prey Veng.
After lunch we continued on to Kampong Charm. Before reaching this medium sized town we crossed the Mekong River on a fairly new bridge, which must have been about 2km long! It provided some amazing views of the town as we approached just before sunset.
After long day in the saddle, we headed across the street from the hotel to enjoy a cold Angkor Beer and to watch the sun set. Doesn’t get any better!
Kampong Charm – Phnom Penh
Cruising along the dirt roads - Kampong Charm - Cambodia
A change of scenery for today as we headed away from Kampong Charm and through the small Muslim Villages located on the banks of the Mekong. Dirt roads and a sore bum were the order of the day, however as we had had great weather the previous days, the dirt road was dry and bumpy!
This area of Cambodia is provides such amazing scenes. Khmers who follow the Buddhist and Muslim faiths live side by side in harmony. Many are fisherman or farmers, using the Mekong as their life line. The rural setting is truly something that must be seen!
After 60km we finished up with the bikes and the major part of our riding was complete. We had traveled from HCMC in Vietnam to Phnom Penh (well 50km short!). It was an amazing journey that has allowed everyone
Kampong Charm market
cycling to witness the beauty and magic of Cambodia and its people up close.
In the afternoon, we packed up the bikes and bused it in the capital city, Phnom Penh.
Phnom Penh
Our time in Phnom Penh is scheduled as a rest day, but it was anything but that! Whilst I take some time out to eat cakes and drink coffee (I’ve been the PP a few times!) the group took of in Tuk Tuk’s.
Tuk tuks are simple a motor bike with a trailer attached to the back. They are roofed, have comfy seats and carry 4 people, making it the ideal way to get around the city.
Most people headed out the see the main sights of Phnom Penh including the Killing Fields, S-21, Russian Market, Central Market, Royal Palace and National Museum. After such a hard day, we all meet up at the Foreign Correspondence Club (FFC) for drinks.
Whilst there the heavens opened, meaning one thing. We had to have some more drinks and a feed at the FFC!!! A great was had be all and tomorrows bus trip to Siem Reap should be a quiet one!
More Links:
- Donate to the CNCF Challenge at MyCause.com
- Get more info on Charity Challenges or Bicycle Tours in Vietnam/Cambodia – Email Adam or visit RAW Travel
Thanks for keeping such an interesting and detailed trip journal. Travel in Cambodia can be so rewarding.
I’d like to make a shameless plug for our organization, the Village Pig Project (villagepigproject.org). We facilitate the donation of breeding pigs to needy families in rural Cambodia, and help those families set up thriving pig farms.
Thanks for all the work you do. Maybe we’ll see you in Cambodia!