The Urban Blogger

I've been putting off updating this blog since I am now back to my 'normal' life and it means that my days of traveling have come to an end. Somehow daily or even weekly updates about the goings-on in my life seem rather mundane.
However, one adventure only leads to another - so perhaps it is not the 'end' but only a new beginning.
This summer I'm going to be spending over 70 days riding my bike across Canada as a fundraising venture for the Canadian Lung Association. It's going to be awesome. I've always wanted to see the country and I love riding my bike - plus it's an amazing opportunity to raise money for a great cause while inspiring others to get out and be active.
To follow updates on the trip check out:
www.bikingforbreath.blogspot.com



Most of my energy right now is going into making the trip a reality. With all the debts I incured traveling in SE Asia, plus all the equipment and costs of the cycling trip - I've been trying desperately to make what I can in the 3 month gap I've had in between. Also trying to organize fundraisers, find all the proper touring/camping equipment and TRAIN have been huge time consumers!
But now with just over a month to go, I feel alright. Still some work to be done, but I'm really excited about the crew I'm going with and I think it will all be stellar in the end.

I've actually really been enjoying my time back - it's been great to see family and friends and enjoy the BC spring!

CAM-bodia

My trip to Cambodia was pretty interesting. The road from Thailand, though significantly improved in the past couple years - is still an adventure in and of itself.
It's only a flat, 150 kilometers but it takes over 4 hours. In the past it could take up to 8-10 hours so I guess I should have been happy.
But the ride was bumpy, dusty and ridiculously cramped.

Need less to say I was quite happy to arrive!


Of course one of the biggest tourist draws to Cambodia is Ankor Wat - the largest religious structure in the world. It is absolutely amazing!
There are actually many temples all around the area built in the height of the Khmer empire.
They are all crafted in stone with finely detailed carving and I couldn't help but just stand in awe at the immensity of it all.



Seriously these buildings are huge but every wall is covered with detailed scenes - so crazy.

For the most part, the fees paid to visit the monuments go towards their maintenance. But a couple of the temples they have left for nature to take over. The scene is something else - huge trees breaking apart stone and sending roots through the rubble. This particular tree I was told is in the movie Tomb Raider.

One of the big temples has all these huge, sort of creepy faces all over it. So I added mine to the mix.


And a parting sunset shot from the top of one of the temples - this place was packed to capacity!

My first 'Malaria Zone' - only there weren't any mosquitoes!

After Bangkok I made my way to Northern Thailand to do some trekking. I had made sure to find some anti-malaria pills as soon as I could to get ready for the N.Thailand/Cambodia danger zones. But I really don't think I needed them!

I did have one bite. And I heard at least one other mosquito buzzing around, but that was pretty much it.

Probably I'm just really sour! Some French-Canadian girls I met were covered in bites. I guess their blood tasted better. Must be all that poutine - makes your blood thick and tasty.

The trekking was cool. We had a local guide who grew up in one of the hilltribe villages that we visited so he spoke the local dialect and had some interesting stories about growing up.


He even let us sample some of the fruits of his labour - frogs! He caught them, skinned them and then dried them over the fire. They didn't taste too bad actually - just like really crispy chicken.



After our group polished off the meal our guide cooked (over a fire!) - we sat by the fire and relaxed. The stars were so amazing! We were really out in the middle of nowhere - the village didn't have electricity except for a few houses with solar panels. A couple dogs came and sat with us since it was pretty cool once the sun had gone down.
I loved visiting the village. It was so peaceful and relaxed - but I could never live there! Our guide was saying that most young people will still live in the village for a few months of the year and then spend the rest of the time working in the cities or towns.

For Thailand, this waterfall was surprisingly cold - but it was still much warmer than any I've felt back home! At this point of my trip I needed the high pressure shower so I stayed in nice and long.

I was undecided about the whole elephant riding thing to begin with, but now having done it I really don't think I need to do it again. I mean it was cool and all - but they don't treat the elephants very well - and it just seems wrong to see such large majestic animals with metal chains around their necks. I'm curious as to how well they feed them too - it seems like all the elephants ate was the bananas and sugar cane that they sell the tourists to 'make friendly with elephant'.

Another great way to feel like a tourist - go bamboo rafting! I thought it was fun, but mostly cause I was helping drive through all the rapids and past all the rocks. And I got a great deal of extra amusement from the fact that my guide's name was Dong and we were riding the Wang River... I know I know, my mind's in the gutter!

Next stop... Cambodia!