July 11, 2004
One of the Certified Land Rovers at the temples in Cambodia.
[Photos by Nancy Olson]
| Logbook for July 11th, Day 251 | ||
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Start: Cambodia Time: N/A N: 13* 25.000 E: 103* 52.000 |
Finish Cambodia Time: N/A N: 13* 25.000 E: 103* 52.000 | Mileage: |
| Notes: We woke up at 0530 so we could get to the ruins early. Angkor Wat is amazing! The journal entry will tell you all about it. These famous temples were build by the Khmer kings between the 7th and 13th centuries. There are more than 100 temples in an area of 200 square km here. This was the administrative and religious centre of the Khmer empire that stretches out over a large part of SE Asia. We had a big, tiring day, and then we went out and explored the Cambodian night life back in town. (N.O.) | ||
Help support our cause: The LONGITUDE Expedition is the longest journey ever attempted with a focus on Parkinson's Disease. The Drive Around the World team aims to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research by driving four Certified, Pre-Owned Land Rover Discoverys around the globe following lines of longitude. Readers are encouraged to pledge small amounts of money per expedition-kilometer via a pledge form that can be found on our Parkinson’s page by clicking HERE. One hundred percent of donations received go directly to Parkinson's research, and all who donate $10 or more will be entered into a raffle to win an expedition-equipped Land Rover Discovery.
July 10, 2004
Nick and Todd snapped this photo of a live pig being transported by moped in Cambodia. "They were all carrying pigs," said Todd. Nick and Todd had been out and about talking with customs officials at another border in order to arrange for the Land Rovers to drive in Cambodia.
[Photo by Todd Borgie]
Without a doubt, I have reached a new level of laziness. In fact, I think I should win an award or something. I am usually an overachiever, and those of you who know me well know that I tend to bite off more than I can chew. Plus, I never seem to learn my lesson regarding how much I can handle at one time.
But today was a different story. Today is dedicated solely to discovering how lazy I can be. I started by deciding to have a little bit of a “lie-in” to catch up on some much needed sleep. I slept so well in this little resort town that I barely managed to get up before noon. After a very lazy shower, it was off to the restaurant to have some phad thai noodles and a fresh pineapple shake for lunch. Afterward, I adjourned down toward the beach to catch a little bit of afternoon sun. Besides, when you’re being lazy, isn’t getting a tan part of the package? While I was there laying there reading a fascinating book about Myanmar (Burma) and listening to the gentle waves caressing the shore, I decided to take a nap—I mean, it’s hard work being this lazy.
Once I woke up (with a bit of a sunburn), I went back to the restaurant for another delicious meal. It was then that I got to do something I have always wanted—learn to play backgammon. At first, it was a bit confusing, and I was playing a master at the game. But after a few quick losses, my backgammon lesson was over, and I started to play for real. I sat there for over two hours playing, and by the end of the evening I was fairing pretty well for myself—well, at least for a beginner.
And that ended the laziest day of my life. I headed off for bed with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that tomorrow it’s back to Bangkok and the work that awaits me.
Until next time, I wish you well from the far side of the world.
| Logbook for July 10th, Day 250 | ||
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Start: Poi Pet, Cambodia Time: N/A N: 13* 39.000 E: 102* 34.000 |
Finish Angkor Wat, Cambodia Time: N/A N: 13* 25.000 E: 103* 52.000 | Mileage: |
| Notes: Nick and Todd spent the entire day working with Cambodia customs to devise a way to drive our vehicles into Cambodia. The only way to do it is to hire Cambodian drivers to pilot OUR vehicles. Apparently, no foreigners are allowed to drive into Cambodia because of liability. In case of an accident, we would not be covered. Nick's ingenious solution was to request that we be allowed to have Cambodia-insured drivers drive for us, and the officials agreed. Nick and the official had a gentleman's agreement that only the Cambodian guides would drive while in Cambodia, and we will exit the country day after tomorrow. We found a couple of drivers and an English-speaking guide, and we entered the country. We drove the worst roads of the entire expedition and arrived Angkor Wat late at night. We're in a hotel and will visit the ruins tomorrow. (N.O.) | ||
Help support our cause: The LONGITUDE Expedition is the longest journey ever attempted with a focus on Parkinson's Disease. The Drive Around the World team aims to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research by driving four Certified, Pre-Owned Land Rover Discoverys around the globe following lines of longitude. Readers are encouraged to pledge small amounts of money per expedition-kilometer via a pledge form that can be found on our Parkinson’s page by clicking HERE. One hundred percent of donations received go directly to Parkinson's research, and all who donate $10 or more will be entered into a raffle to win an expedition-equipped Land Rover Discovery.
