2014-12-07-Day18: Angkor Wat Half-Marathon

The 17km ride yesterday was the warmup, today was the main event I'd been training for for some time now.

I had a goal of sub-2hrs, and a stretch goal of 1:45. Waiting for official results to come in, but I think it was somewhere around 1:52 give or take a minute, so right in the middle. Given an injured foot that's been plaguing me for a few weeks, I'll take it.

In the afternoon, we had a hired car drive us to Phnom Penh. It was a harrowing 6hr drive, with much of it unpaved, pothole and dust ridden! I think Alisa was ready for a  nervous breakdown.

6:10am starting line

8:00am finish 

 

Dusty, bumpy drive to Phnom Penh

Sunset as viewed out the car window on the same drive

2014-16-06-Day17: Angkor Wat Bike4Kids

Today we did a 17km family bike ride as part of an event that I signed us up for months ago. Thanks to our contribution, plus folks that signed up to sponsor the kids (thanks!) we raised over a thousand dollars to combat child trafficking and other abuses.

The kids did great on the ride, despite having to get up at 4:30am to get to the start line for 6am.

Back to the hotel for lunch and some pool time. In the evening we went into town for some shopping and had dinner with friends that were in town for the half-marathon event on the 7th (see next post).

Jenny and I coming through one of the great gates.

Jenny riding past some of the temples

 

Matthew doing the same

 

Matthew approaching the Victory Gate.

Jenny crosses the finish!

 

Alisa too!

2014-12-05-Day16: SiemReap

Did a tour of a few of the temples in Angkor Wat today. It was plenty hot and humid, so kids limited our time there, but it was truly fantastic. A few pics posted below. Later, the kds enjoyed the pool while I went and got us set up for our bike event tomorrow and my half-marathon on Sunday. In the evening, we went to dinner via tuk tuk, did a little shopping in the night market.

Passing a group of elephants on the way to the temples 

We graduated from teen girls wanting to pose with the boys, to Cambodian monks. I asked the boys which they preferred asking them for pics. They said it was a toss-up. I told them I'd ask again in 5 years.

 

Jenny and I in one of the temples.

 

Me (and Matthew) exploring Ta Prohm, constructed in the 12th century and overgrown by massive trees. Amazing.

 

Mom & Tom riding in a tuk-tuk

 

The kids & I wandering the night market

 

Buying some toys from a street vendor not much older than the boys.