Kampong Thom Bronzing 2/22

Temple/tree
Mango over the sunset
Monks coming down the 809 stairs as we go up. We snapped a picture of them and they also took a few pictures of us with camera phones.
Bolting calf that we dodged. Piglets in transit
We found ourselves a motorbike driver, piled on, and began a bronzing adventure thanks to the red dust which is everywhere in Eastern Cambodia. We also discovered that smiling on a motorbike despite how happy you might be is a terrible plan. The first stop we each had red dust caked on our teeth which we then spent scraping off while exploring deserted temples. We became very fond of one temple which was being devoured by a tree until we realized that we would have to share this wondrous tree/temple with swarms of red ants who were eager to eat our flesh. With some more motoing with our driver taking great care to avoid cows and water buffalo we went through some small villages where we got the usual cheery clamor of "hellloooos" from children. To ease the butt damage from 3 people on one motorbike on a bumpy road for a few hours we also took some scenic stops in which our driver all of a sudden took notice to Zoe's heavily bandaged motorbike burn. He found much entertainment in it and showed us his one and only motorbike burn which was from a tourist who who trusted a little too much and ended up crashing his bike with him on it.

After his giggles ended we continued on to a temple set 809 steps on a hill for sunset. Around halfway we decided to stop for some mango to munch on at the top. Huge mistake. A few minutes later we were at the top strolling leisurely around when a gang of monkeys took notice to our mango and instantly started to swarm us bearing all of their vicious little teeth. Zoe and I ended up back to back yelling and clapping with water bottles in hand ready to bash any monkey who dare sink his teeth into our skin. After some time and causing quite the disturbance in the active temple they retreated a few feet allowing us to bolt. We then went back down to the half way zone to catch the sunset where it was monkey free and we could victoriously eat our mangoes.