After a beautiful route along the border with Thailand I arrive in Pailin, the city where I entered the country. I did not book a hotel because I saw in Google Maps that there are enough accommodation options in this area.
The hotel where I first knock has a beautiful garden with a large swimming pool and few guests, so I am very welcome. However, the water in the pool is as hot as in a jacuzzi. Definitely not cooling, but still nice for a swim.
Towards evening I drive into the village on the motorbike and to my surprise the village square where I passed this afternoon is now full of food stalls and shops. It is super fun, children wave, adults laugh and there is a relaxed atmosphere. After I have eaten at various food stalls, I watch the Myanmar-Cambodia football match on the large outdoor screen with the villagers. Unfortunately, the national team loses 2-0, but it's a lot of fun!
The next morning I set course for Battambang again, to the hostel where I left 2 days ago. On the way I visit the Phnom Kiev Waterfall. I can't resist the temptation and enjoy the coolness in the fresh mountain water.
While I'm there dark clouds are moving in front of the sun more and more often and on my way back I have to take shelter from a tropical shower a few times. However, the last shower does not know how to stop. It is pitch dark, the thunderstorm and the rain is really pouring down from the sky. I only have to drive 15 km and after hiding for 30 minutes I decide to continue. It's still 26 degrees so I don't mind getting soaked.
The streets in Battambang are full of water and with great pleasure I steer the motorcycle through the sometimes 20 cm deep water. When I arrive at the hostel I can shake my boots and wring out my clothes outside. Rarely have I enjoyed a wet motorcycle ride so much!
The receptionist tells me that someone asked about 'the owner of that BMW'. The next day when I'm sitting at the pool I see that someone is looking at my motorcycle and I start talking to John from Canada. Together with his Cambodian wife he runs Battambang Scooter and Motorcycle Rentals in Battambang and he is very interested in my GS as he is about to buy one himself. We chat a lot about motorcycles, my trip and Cambodia. A very nice meeting with a very nice couple.
