Let’s go cycling

We’re going to miss this lot…

lovely to catch with Diyouk over breakfast…I think it’s been around 13 years! And I forgot to get a photo.. 😦

A road trip with Chanthou and family, with a lovely stroll in the Teuk Chob community forest

Then a little look at the new area that is being established around 30 km north of Siem Reap.

I may not have this quite accurate but the gist we’ve gleaned is that pretty much everyone who lives or lived within the Apsara lands ( where the major temples are situated) is being asked to relocate to the new township.

Just a few months ago this new city was all jungle land- now cleared with impressive roads and infrastructure to accommodate the influx of people- apparently there are already 10000 families who have taken the “option” to move.

Chanthou’s brother Vuthy and his family are among these and it was great to see him today! Vuthy’s land, like all the others, was allocated via ballot- he’s lucked a nice plot of land on a corner so it will provide a good opportunity for creating a small shop front to make their living.

Vuthy is busy carting materials from his existing home, and building foundations ready to move his wooden house from the existing spot. Makes me want to complain less…

What I find really incomprehensible is that the extended family will now be separated by signicant distance- from their adjoining plots in Siem Reap they are now allocated land 20km apart. Some of the family have not yet agreed to move, perhaps they will be allowed to stay…or perhaps things will change again after the upcoming election…who knows. But it does all seem a bit sad for these families so accustomed to living in close proximity.

Maybe it’ll be a good thing in the long term- better facilities for the people, and the opportunity to enhance the quality of the tourism experience and the preservation of the Angkor temples. Just tugs at the heart strings for all the families affected right now.

Ended the afternoon with a visit to Bakong village- thankfully the tourists haven’t discovered this place yet -it was also a first for Socheata and the kids and the playground and archery were a big hit 🙂

Dinner at a local buffet restaurant topped off our all too short a time in Siem Reap.

We’ll really miss these faces- it’s been so great to spend time over the last few days, to reconnect and meet the new little ones, and to see just how far they’ve all come in life since the last time we were here.

A huge big thankyou to Khemrak, Sreyleak , Chanthou and Socheata for your marvellous hospitality! Hopefully it won’t be so long before the next time!

Now for some sleep and ready to tackle some cycling north in the morning!!