Siem Reap, Cambodia, home of Ankor Wat (UNESCO Heritage Site and 7th wonder of the world)

We had a group of about 20 people who headed to Cambodia at the beginning of December to run in the annual Ankor Wat Half Marathon. There were also 10 km and family options. We spent a long weekend which gave us time to visit most of the more famous temples in the heritage site and then take a bike ride south of the city. This is a place that you could explore for a quite some time. There are many temples that are not part of the complex (and free)  but we didn't have the time. The cost for Ankor Wat complex is  $20 US/day which is steep considering the country. I'm hoping that locals have a different deal.

Once again we rent some trusty steeds a $1-$4/ day. We used US $ here which I was surprised at but also forewarned of.

We rode out to the most famous, Ankor Wat which was immense. The moat alone is gigantic and this is the pathway over. 

A view from the far side of the most. Lots of visitors.

Ankor Wat...a small part.

  Being tourists.

Everything from the walls to the structure is fascinating.

Reclining Buddha

From the top. Incredible to imagine life in the 1100s. 

 A stupa.

It go so hot that I though I was going to combust. Fashion went by the wayside and my scarf became my protector. We had just picked up my race pace which, thankfully included a nice cotton scarf and visor. It's a dry, dusty city.

Many long tunnel-like hallways.

View from the top. The reconstruction is huge and ongoing.

The stairs up/down were not for the feint of heart.

We ran the race on Sunday morning and that afternoon joined up with Emily and rented a tuk-tuk for the "outer loop" of temples which are further away. It's exhausting to visiting both physically and mentally.

Our ride. Look carefully at the back of the seat. The motorcycles here have many attachments for carrying people and things but in every case we saw the driver has the towing ball in his/her back.

Bangkok tuk tuk block your view...these are nice and high.

Eerie tress grow over the walls.

One, Ta Som I think was in the middle of what felt like a like but I think it was a huge moat.

Tired and thirsty.

Ta Phrom made famous by Tomb Raider

Vince inspecting the construction.

The couple on the right then climbed over the fence to get a picture....interesting.

 Headless statues became a theme.

Vince holding up the walls.

Looking at some of the less restored temples you get an idea of the amount of work that has been done.

 We kept getting in front then behind this huge tour group. The monks in the back were nice enough to pose with them.

Sssssssnake!

I missed this by a few minutes but it was the scene as many came to school this morning. A reticulated python. Last week a friend found one in a tree in his backyard. He called the guards who got it down and it was a little slow.....had just swallowed a cat. Eesh!

So, this here in the one from this morning.

In the basket.

...and away

Ayutthaya and random pics

It's the third year that I have gone on the Grade 7 trip to Ayutthaya an ancient capital. It'sa  great day where the students are the tour guides.

Beautiful!

We were taught how to pay tribute to the King (not sure which one).

Some interesting bikes  

A four seater...that actually has 4 seats.

Lying buddha

A few random pics....

 Watching movies in style

On one of my more quiet running routes I come upon this Wat which always impresses me. 

We have been "trailriding" to the market since April when they dug up the street and put in drainage. Suddenly this week they made some superfast headway and it looks like we will have some smooth running soon.

Last night was the Thai festival of Loy Kratong a festival. Part of it was a beauty pageant with really young girls. Interesting.

That's it for now....

Swimming

I have always loved coaching and have been lucky enough to become involved with the swimming program and gained some coaching training in the sport. Myself and Jenn have anywhere between 10 and 15 kids from the ages of 8-11 and somehow never get tired out. We have 2 girls who come and the most are little boys. Even when exhausted after a long days, these little guys make us laugh.

Vince came by an took a bit of a video to show what we do...with the exception of the 3:30 storms that come up ever so quickly it's generally blowtorch sunny on the pool deck. Luckily, we coach on the shady side of the pool.

 

Jenn and I

It was a slow day with only a few kids who were super excited to try butterfly.


We took a few kids to a swim meet at the International School of Bangkok (amazing campus) for a weekend of fun.

Playing a game while waiting their turn.

A look at the gym where each team has their spot.

This guys has it all figured out.

Lots of fun and a great end to every day!