Trekking from Chi Pat.

I was heading towards the side line village of Chi Pat from Sihanoukville. The bus dropped me off in a nasty rainshower at Andoung Tuek, a handfull of houses next to a bridge. It feels way to away-especially when arriving in heavy rain. A German tourist and I was immediately approached by people wanting to take us up to Chi Pat village a 45 minutes motorbike trip away. For 7 dollars. Or a 2 hour boattrip upriver-for 30 dollars per boat. The alternative of scheduled community boats for 10 dollars a head was not mentioned without me drilling for it. We opted for the motorbikes-the prospect for massive rain showers and two hours out in the open didn't tempt us that much.

The motorbikes left us on the eastern riverbank, a small ferry took us across the river to the main village where we walked up to the CBET office. Where homestays, trips, tickets and even meals are handled. It is a well run and efficient establishment. Probably by far the best of its kind in Cambodia. They offer a lot-cooking classes, trips to waterfalls and burial jars. There is a bat cave. There are possibilities for volunteering. Many things can only be done in the dry season, though. My first decision upon arrival was to return in the dry season with a visa not about to expire as my was. The second decision was to join forces with the German for a two day-one night jungletrek with a riverboat trip at the end of it.

The foot ferry across the river. There is also one able to take cars and trucks in a ferry site close by.

English teaching in our homestay. We got a place 20 minutes walk away from the nearest beer. Homestays are assigned on a rotating basis so nobody knows where one ends. there is one room in each homestay-costing 4 dollars. We were two-paying 2 dollars each. Perfect for long time travelling budgets. It was an OK place-except the neighbours started playing loud music-LOUD music-at 0430 hours in the morning!

Along the main road of Chi Pat.

Posing, laughing, enjoying. Children here are true sunshine.

just been photographed. running to see the result of it.

Afternoon past time. Volleyball. These guys have no television to divert them, so they are good, really good, players.

Board gaming.

A little gambling for money.

Down by the river side.

We got a backpack, hammock-with mosquitonet and a blanket plus 3 liters of water at the office. One of the few english speaking guides available and a cook was to follow us on the hike. To begin with, there is farmland, a savanna like landscape and some secondary forest.

Some ants virtually fortify the entrance to their underground cities.

Caution if you see this one. A fire snake. It is venomous, highly so. If bitten out there by this one your only hope of survival is a helicopterlift.

A strange seed.

An old termite mound.

On a clearing in the forest we found these meat eating plants. Insects are lured into the cup with digestive juices. For them there is no escape.

Arriving at the camp. Basic but sufficient. The best thing about the camp is the swimming pond in a stream 50 meters away. A pretty, cool place-with a school of skineating fish.

Food on its way.

Afternoon hike to a wildlife watching spot. We only saw a group of monkeys far away, appearing to settle down for the night.

Creatures of the night. A hunting spider. I love to stand out in the dark. just to listen. There are a lot of sounds out there. some of them rather intense. The jungle at night-and often at day-is not at all a silent place!

A walking stick. They are so incredibly well camouflaged.

A antnest built around a branch.

Sour but edible fruits.

At the end of the walk. A refreshing bath before embarking on a two hour boattrip back to Chi Pat.

Lunch on the boat. Tina, our guide.

Our second homestay. close to the main road, yet far away from it all.

The room. Rather cosy.

I was buying beer when this guy suddenly jumped on me. He had a very strong grip. The locals backed away-apparently they do bite.

The end of it. Drinking beer and ricewine in Tinas Home.