Kep to Takeo
Terrain: Outback dirt tracks,bumpy at times, and smooth paved road
Team Spirit: Exhausted and soaking in every detail of the last few days
Overnight: Takeo
Pepperering the hills
The
bungalows and pool at the Kep accommodation were a bit hard to leave but the
compensation came in the form of a magnificent 80 kilometre ride from the
ocean, through pepper plantations and rice paddies to the town of Takeo.
The day was
overcast and made for perfect riding conditions and everyone got through the
day unscathed. A near crash between Samantha Smith and Gaylene Howe was the
only real incident. The coming together of the two Star News Group workmates
was a source of (friendly) argument and great amusement (particularly for
Suellen Conway) all day as they both tried to put the blame on each other.
Riders
began weaving around the coastal retreat and happened upon a delightful market,
famous for its seafood, particularly crab. Everyone loved the prawn rice and
couldn’t believe it when one of the vendors had a selection of waffles, sweet
bread and the like. Brian Paynter and Brooke Tomlinson were just bemoaning the
lack of a good bakery in town.
Olivia Lyon
and Gaylene Howe came across souvenirs they just had to have, agreed to buy
three between them and, after a wrapping and language mix-up, walked away with
five. The concerned vendor soon appeared to protest and the accidental
shoplifters happily handed back the extra two.
Leaving the
ocean behind, the riders headed for the hills. Lush, green surroundings with
the odd fruit tree but mostly pepper plantations. Suellen Conway has been
talking since we arrived about how famous Cambodia is for its black pepper
and was relieved that she had been on the money.
The first
break came at one of the pepper plantations, which even came with a well
stocked gift shop of the local produce. Meleea Wood must have lost her
bearings. She walked in, saw the jars and said ‘Oh, jam!’ much to the amusement
of everyone within earshot.
The guides
informed us we were also in the region where Australian backpacker David Wilkinson
and a couple of British travelling companions were kidnapped by Khmer Rouge soldiers
and held for ransom. An assault amongst the pepper, as it were, with a tragic
outcome.
The
beautiful surroundings came at a price – hills to climb. Most handled them
well, but Cath Zulian actually shined and gathered more pace as we made our way
upwards. “I can’t change the gears down, so I just keep going,” she said,
earning herself the title of King of the Mountain.
Cath’s
greatest concern came on the flat. She and Eva Foster both had chickens
randomly run under their bikes. Cath, a strict vegetarian for as long as she
can remember and long-time supporter of animal welfare groups, was beside
herself that she may have been involved in a bit of unintentional fowl play,
but fortunately both scurried off to safety.
The hills certainly
enhanced the appetite.
The group
has dined at some great places through the journey – on the banks of rivers,
overlooking the ocean or even poolside – but everyone’s favourites are the
lunchtime roadstops prepared by our guides in someone’s front yard. We all ride
in, with permission of course, and make ourselves at home then tuck in to
toasted baguettes filled with a selection of fresh salad, boiled eggs,
home-made tuna paste, chicken, pork and of course the pre-packaged cheese
wedges with a picture of a cow on the front.
Again the
big day of riding ended in the pouring rain and by the time the 80 kilometres
had clicked over our wonderful guides had organised a slab of Angkor
beer for the bus to celebrate the achievement. The beer went down particularly
well for Alison McHenry, who battled a bit but got by with a little help from
her friends. The councillor, Graeme Moore, rode to the point of exhaustion and
allowed himself a little nanna nap.
Walking in
to the hotel dripping wet, there was a bit of concern at the allocation of
rooms that Outlook pair Ross Cheesewright and James Wynne scored a VIP suite
(which basically meant marginally more than cat-swinging room). “How did the
tip rats get the VIP room!,” Grill’d pair Geoff Bainbridge and Simon Crowe
protested. Most concern was that they would sleep in - they have form in that
regard – because tomorrow’s last day of riding requires a 6am start. Even
breakfast is on the road!
To make a donation on behalf of your Windermere Adventure Challenge Champion CLICK HERE
Garry Howe – Editor Star News Group
Carina Tomietto and Ann Selby – Windermere Adventure Team Leaders
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