Job Done We Did it and a Heartfelt Thank You

Greetings form Siem Reap and of course Angkor Wat, we have had a memorable journey, seen some incredible things and experience a rich tapestry of life.

Our aim to write a daily blog was restricted by the limited/slow internet connectivity and team commitments so I hope you will accept this final update with our sincerest appreciation for your kindness which spurred us on to the end…..the following should be a snapshot of our trail

We are delighted to report back, “job done” – on  Saturday morning we both completed our 350km cycle challenge in Vietnam and Cambodia  riding the final 20km on the unpaved tracks surrounding Siem Reap as villagers commenced their day taking pigs and chickens to market.  

It was a magical ending and a contrast to the 2 previous days which had seen the team clock up fairly backbreaking 100km and 90km rides on busy national roads after we left the tranquility of the Mekong Delta where we pedaled the first kilometers in the early part of the week.  

The combination of 33 degree temperatures and only cold showers available in several overnight stays has ensured that a real challenge of endurance and determination worthy of the wonderful support you gave us was achieved.

A huge thank you!    You played a part in helping us raise £11,626.23 so far, which with gift aid comes to £13,333.79  and our team appears to be on track to exceed £25k – this is a much appreciated contribution to the Kids Company Christmas Day appeal.

 

So many of you were keen to see us actually dressed for the occasion and we did not disappoint on the first day;we were there and ready with our fellow team members. The Lycra all in place and ready for action. In the 85% humidity and 34 degree C heat we had a challenge on

We had a charming first morning, riding through the Mekong Delta

Our first night was in a home stay, quite basic , cold showers and we even cooked our own food

 We are now experts in making Spring Rolls and Vietnamese Omlettes.

Never will it be said that we overload our scooters, and this was by no means the most overloaded.

Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia, on the banks of the Mekong River, beautiful Pagoda's and a real colonial atmosphere, but fast moving to 21st Century. We had a very refreshing drink at Raffles Hotel.

Just outside the Capital City was teh most harrowing part of our journey, a visit to The Killing Fields where The Khmer Rouge regime arrested and eventually executed almost everyone suspected of connections with the former government or with foreign governments, as well as professionals and intellectuals. Cracks in the skulls can be clearly seen.

 A well earned rest and lunch in the Paddy Fields

4 Up on the scooters, the most we saw was 6

 

 This little lad was very keen to get a closer view

 The Street Markets were full of fresh foods from the countryside, and some real local delicasies

The Petrol Station was particularly interesting, did you want your fuel from  Johnie Walker Bottle or an Absolut Vodka Bottle

And finally Angkor Wat which was first a Hindu, then subsequently, a Buddhist temple complex, we actually cycled around the complex twice it was 20 kms around

We managed to get an extended weekend in Siem Reep and had the pleasure of sating at Amansara, who do a fine job, and its a must place to stay. Superb Food, wonderful accommodation and Sally Baughen and her team gave us a stay to remember. On the Saturday night we were keen to watch the Rugby England against The All Blacks, the Tuk Tuk took us to town and we watched on a 10 foot screen and the driver was there to take us back to the hotel, great service.

We then flew back to Hong Kong and came back on the A380, very quiet but work in progress for British Airways.

Ho Chi Min City

We had a lovely weekend in Ho Chi Min City, our flight down from Hong Kong was uneventful even though the Typhoon was only a few hundred miles away. The Cathay Pacific flight was excellent and we were in the hotel less than an hour after we arrived at the airport.
The Asiana Intercontinental Hotel, was superb, great accommodations and excellent staff, congratulations to Fergus Stewart and his team for running a fine hotel.
We had a couple of good evenings out in the City the food was fabulous, very fresh, Such a lot of culture and heritage here

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We have done the Training and are ready for our departure

We have been at the gym at our Spinning classes sometimes 4 times a week, putting in the miles, and at 6.45 am , it certainly is a wake up call. Lesley has been determined to conquer Richmond Park and a big thank you to Nick and Jane for lending us their Posh bikes.

We now head to China Hong Kong and then to Vietnam, we are aiming to update our blog on a regular basis, so that you can see how we are getting on.

You have been sent our blog as you generously donated to our cause and we will leave the UK just shy of our of £10,000 contribution to Kids Company, however we do not close our books until after Christmas , so that we feel confident that we can help even more children this Christmas.

Please fell free to share our blog with your friends and family.

This November, Paul and Lesley shall be cycling 350 km from Ho Chi Minh City to Angkor Wat with the main purpose being to raise lots of much needed money for Kids Company – an inspiring London based charity, founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh, which provides practical, emotional and educational support to exceptionally vulnerable and deprived young people in the capital. Kids Company supports around 14,000 children a year who are barely surviving on the margins of society.  Specifically our focus and your contributions will go towards this year's Christmas Day event which hopes to give a magical day to 3,500 children being hosted at the Oval - just think what a difference making one more gift this Christmas will make!

The Kids Company organised group we will join will complete the journey in 5 days and the challenge will be increased as we will be traversing minor roads and dirt tracks and overnighting in home-stays in both Vietnam and Cambodia.

This challenge will be a truly significant one for a 50 something year old with decidedly dodgy, arthritic knees who only manages two spinning classes a week.  Paul, who goes to the gym every day, is promising to be supportive when necessary, but will no doubt wish to set the pace in a yellow jersey dressed like Bradley Wiggins.

Lesley’s regular business travel to Asia provides lieu days for lost weekends flying to and fro - there seemed no better way to give this time back doing something truly productive.

We know you are routinely requested to participate in sponsorship activities but we sincerely hope you will commit to this – we want to do it once, and properly, and promise not to burden you again (in a hurry for sure!!) so please be generous, and thank you!

Lesley and Paul’s Fundraising Page:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/lesleyandpaulreynolds

Alternatively, please send a cheque to Lesley and Paul Reynolds