Siem Reap and Home

Back in Singapore

Well here I am back in Singapore, one week early. As a result of my bike fall in Phnom Penh I wasn't able to continue on the last three days of riding from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, so Hawk and I took the bus instead.

Siem Reap

We arrived in Siem Reap via bus, in the pooring rain, saddled up the bikes and rode into town. This was an adventure on its own, the streets were dark, it was wet and raining, and I was riding with my right arm in a sling. We managed in relative safety and found a place to stay the evening. After a tidy up I tried contacting friends in town to organise a visit to the 'Iqbal School' were I was hoping to pass on a donation in the name of my wonderful Year Four Class, 'The Polarbears'. After leaving a few messages I headed to bed to nurse my arm.

The following morning plans were put in place to visit the school in a few days, leaving time for sightseeing, including a day at the wonderful Angkor Wat.

Angkor WatGetting up at 4.15 and riding the 6 km to Angkor Wat was rewarded with a beautiful sunset, rising over that famous and inspiring skyline. I managed a few pictures, though I found it particularly difficult to hold the camera steady with my bad arm.

The rest of the day was spent riding around to many of the temples, taking pictures and just enjoying the beauty. This was a wonderful thrill that excited the imagination and inspired the photographer within.

The area is so large that it would take many days to see it fully, so with only one day available we stuck to the highlights.

Iqbal School

During my time in Laos and Cambodia I had been reading several books on the region, particularly time during the 1970's when both countries struggled under the politics and policies of those in power. I had read several truely sad stories of people's lives during this period. And hopefully I gained something of an understanding of the challenges that had faced the people in the past and still affected the region today.

My visit to the Iqbal School started with an amazing Tuk-Tuk ride that mirrored the description given to my by a collegue and friend who introduced me to the school. 'First you travel along a road, then you turn and the road gets narrower and rougher, then after a while you turn again. The road bacomes a bit narrower, a bit like a ox-cart track, and rougher. Then you have to turn off that road onto an even narrower and rougher road. You cross a bridge or two and the road narrows further. Then just when you think you couldn't be in an anymore remote a place you come around a corner and the road gets even more narrow and so rough you think the whole bike and tuk-tuk will fall apart. And then you're pretty much there'. And so it was.

We were guided by Megan, who has been working with the school for the last ten months, developing a level of sustainability, understanding and pride that will help the school and village long after she leaves in a couple of months. The children welcomed us with big smiles and a keeness to practise their English. They showed us their school and their routines and tried to ask questions about where we were from and what we did.

Their warmth and smiles put the smile back on my face, one that had been straining a little with the trials of a rough few days and the disappointment at not finishing the journey in the saddle.

Singapore

This week I have spent visiting doctors and specialist back in Singapore who tell me my arm is broken in two places and has ligament and tendon damage from being dislocated. Knowing this I realise it wouldn't have been possible to finish the way I wanted, but the 300km from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap still remain unfinished in my mind and in Hawk's I'm sure.