Day 50 Svay Leu (Boojie glamping pod)

 In the Tour de France the penultimate day is the last day of racing proper with the final day just being a procession into Paris- racing done and celebrate the three hard weeks in the saddle. Today being our penultimate day to our final tour destination felt a little like that feeling - work done and look forward to that feeling of accomplishment on the final day's ride.

Some random thoughts about Cambodia, the people are humble and many are poor but they are always welcoming, courteous and smiley. What I found staggering was every home we passed whether close to the road or some distance from it, we could hear the shouts of 'hello' from small children and upon our reply we would hear the sound of distant laughter. We have not figured out how they are aware of our approach but it is uncanny that we cannot go unnoticed- maybe they have better eyesight, hearing or even sense of smell but they always spot the westerner and send us on our way smiling at their beautiful smiles and joyful hellos.

We arrived at the posh glamping site at 10:30 having covered the 24 miles in around 2 hours. The receptionist appeared to say she had no reservation and then proceeded to make a few phone calls, eventually an older lady appeared on a motorbike and after a walkie talkie  conversation gave us our key. The yurt like structure is our most expensive stop over and it is funky with it's air conditioning and 'proper western bathroom'. It's also very spacious - so we have immediately spread out all of our detritus and made it appear untidy- it's a knack we have acquired over the last few weeks. The place has a swimming pool that we ventured over to, to take a dip, but when we got there we were told it was closed - I wasn't so bothered but Jen's face told the poor man of her displeasure and he promptly radioed the head man to come and explain. He duly arrived and in reasonable English told us that the power had been switched off and the pumps had only just been restored and to come back at 2pm when all should be working and perhaps as some means of recompense he would send over some tables and chairs for outside our pod. Nice gesture but a logic that I couldn't follow.

We are now beginning to meet many more cyclists on the road as they leave or head towards Siem Reap. All have a story to tell and many of them are on much longer journeys than our own. The one common thread that we all share and comment on is 'It's so hot!' - A couple we met today had  been cycling in India and they mentioned it was cooler there by about 7 degrees.

Jen eventually got in the pool and we later ate in the restaurant- the food was presented beautifully and with some ceremony from the waiter, who had clearly been instructed in high end subservience, which I found a little uncomfortable for my inner socialist self. But strangely they seemed to delight in this self effacing ritual. Back to reality tomorrow, we move 12km down the road to a Homestay with a dorm.

Addendum in the way to the pool Jenny had a puncture.