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Day 1 - Phnom Penh to Takeo

Cambodia cycle guide day 1 - Phnom Penh to Takeo
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Quick facts
Distance 83km
Difficulty Easy
Terrain Flat
Blog 24th Feb - Bokor and the beach
Gallery Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville

The journey

Good signs out of Phnom Penh. The city sprawls as far as Tak Mhan. Turn right at the roundabout then left after about 10km at the golden woman statue. The road seal was old but generally fine with very few actual pot-holes. There were no road markings but there was little traffic after Tak Mhan and enough space for it to overtake. Moderate easterly wind - which was a headwind - for some of the day. A very quiet, pleasant ride but hot and open. Some tree-lined stretches with shade. There were a couple of petrol stations with toilets and canopies, and empty road vendor shelters to rest in. We passed several small villages with markets and fruit and drink sellers along the road. There were only 2 km markers with numbers on; others were sporadic and so old the numbers had worn off.

We visited Tonlé Bati, a couple of fairly interesting old towers, which cost $3 entry including a drink. Turn right immediately at the Sokimex petrol station (Tonle Bati is signed) then follow a good dirt road with only a few stones for a couple of km. The guard let us leave our bikes in the ticket office for free. There were some persistent beggars and kids. The restaurant on the lake front is where you get your free drink.

Takeo has a handful of guesthouses and a couple of restaurants, but only restaurant Stung Takeo was open when we were there.

The room

Angkor Borei guesthouse
$4 for double room with fan, bathroom with cold water and terrestrial TV with bad reception.
Adequate and good value. Close to the restaurant and shop.