Day 39 - An island cycle and a border crossing - Trial by fire: new bike, first tour, first time in Asia

December 3, 2024

Day 39 - An island cycle and a border crossing

We woke to a sun-drenched deck, so why not start with a few early morning photos?

We had a personable dog join us for breakfast

And after breakfast we set off to wind our way across the islands on a marvelous bicycle path. The catch is that it's not far across the islands.

My grandmother always said, "Let sleeping hogs lie."

Mekong house boat, or islands in the river?

We saw this old steam locomotive from the French colonial period.

Not quite as modern as the Chinese fast train

But there was one more channel to cross. That required us to find a boat. As it turned out, we needed two boats - one for our bikes and one for us. They're not roll on-roll off ferries in this part of the Mekong.

We pushed our bikes up a steep sandbank near a village and from there it was just a few km to highway 13 and the Cambodian border.

Unfortunately, our arrival at the border coincided with the that of a couple of buses, making for long queues.

Winston looking rather bored over the whole process.

It was lucky we had that meal at the border. There wasn't much for 60 km.

It was 1.30 when we left the border with 60 km to Stung Treng. Time was tight. We did not have Cambodian internet and so agreed to meet near a bridge.

It was roadworks the entire waybut we had no complaints.

We saw our first edible nest production houses. This is a growing industry in Cambodia and you'll be suprised to learn that most nests are exported to China.

Production of edible nests of swiftlet species - Aerodramus spp., occurs in this concrete building. The broadcast the switlet's call to attract the birds.

I kept seeing these ads and assumed cigarettes, but it's clearly a drink.

I eventually reached the bridge and found a salubrious shelter in which to wait for Winston. We rode over the new bridge spanning the Tonle Sekong and turned right to ride into Stung Treng. We needed money and all our cards failed at several ATMs. Alas, we have $US and this is a dual currency nation.

We found accommodation and crossed the road for a fine meal.

Thete is a shelter with a seat behind the tree.

Approaching sunset at the confluence of the Tonle Sekong and Mekong.

A husband and wife team run the restaurant. She cooks the food!

Today's ride: 79 km (49 miles)
Total: 2,245 km (1,394 miles)

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