Hi everyone,

Got up early and to the bike shop to pick up my bike in Phnom Pehn. I recognised it as the one they had toatally in bits the day before when I went in to rent. The engine was all over the floor
and think it was having new pistons. This will either be a good sign, i.e. new engine, or a really bad one as I seem to be the test pilot!

The bike looks like its been around the clock bodywise, but the mechanics look fine and I thought if they regularily service there bikes this had to be a good sign...so fingers crossed!

Usual paperwork and then hopped on after tying my backback and spares (they give you a bunch of things you cant find in a plastic bag like brake levers, inner tube and spark plug!) it was off into
the Phnom Pehn traffic. Chaos, but organised in a strange way so managed to get out of the city and onto the main road 4 towards Sihanoukville. Think distance is about 200kms as bought a map too!

Now I find out what doesnt work on the bike, the speedo, the tripometer..and no neutral gear whihc makes the riding a bit different. Nice engine though and good tyres and has a bit of grunt for a
250 enduro.

Out of the capitol the scenery decends into what you would expect, endless long tarmac streaches, with dirt gravel on each side and no real traffic other than several larges 20 year old huge truck
convoys ploughing their way between Sihanoukville and Phnom Pehn as Sihanoukville is the only deep sea port of Cambodia. Occasionally come accross road villages and encounter tuk tuks, mopeds and
small van and trucks laided to the hilt with goods and people. Into the countryside and am passing Oxen pulled carts....this really is back 100 years!

Rules of the reoad are simple - biggest is best......so 3 times in an hour I come accross 2 juggernault type trucks, one overtaking the other and both coming towards me using all the tarmac! (
reference the film Trains Planes and Automobiles - Steve martin and John Candy!) so.....only thing to do is get out of their F@@@@G way and throw yourself onto the dirt
track......fun indeed.

The dust is awazing and I have lost my cheap shades so have to get some more...

Arrived at Sihanoukville early afternoon and what a nice place. Beautiful beaches and beach bars and cafes all along the beaches. A mix of eurpean and rich Kymer tourists here. Find a guest
house/hotel where me and the bike will be safe and check in. Shower as my face looked real funny with all the sweat and dirt on it...eyes stinging too..... then off to the beach and simply chilled
outside a beach bar no 10 meters from the sea drinking and reading.....now this is the life....

In the evening, I managed to walk 30 meters to a different beach bar as the food sounded good - thai green curry and all that....and guess what...owned by a family from Nottingham who had only
bought it 5 months ago. Fantastic conversation and they have moved as they beieve cambodi has real potential and to be honest I think they are right. A few Ankgor beers, the national brew of course
and then off to bed as feeling tired after the 4 hours ride.

Tommorrow planning to go to Bokor Hill Station - the last stronghold of the Kymer Rouge and end up in Kampot, whihc is also meant to be nice....3 hour ride I think in total.

Oh, weather is hot and dry and too hot almost to sleep in......not many mozzis whihc is a great thing as tired of being bitten.

last thiing, get strange looks in the countryside, not sure if this is because I am white or I am the only p[erson they have ever seen wearing a helmet!! (honest mum!)

Take care everyone...the blogs back on track!

Steve