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Battambang


Pronounced more like ‘Battamboun’, this is the second largest city in Cambodia. Has a great vibe, way less tourists but still very friendly locals: unlike Siem Reap, this feels like a real living, breathing city.

Special mention goes to the funky 70s bus / seats (the way from Siem Reap to Battambang)



We had a few activities planned. The first was seeing the Bat cave of Phnom Sampov. We climbed up a hill to get a good vantage view. The event was this: 30,000,000 (yup, 30 million!) bats leaving their cave just before sunset. It was hypnotic- they move in a very fluid way. The show went on and on!




The next day, we went to on the bamboo train ride. There arent regular train services any more in Cambodia, but some of the rail infrastructure has remained. The ‘carriage’ you travel on is basically two axels with wheels, an engine, basic breaking mechanism, all atop a bamboo platform. Terrifying, loud, exhilarating.





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