Bike4Kids - Angkor, Cambodia
Siem Reap is an area just outside of and area known as Angkor. Depending on what you google up, Angkor is one of the 7 Wonders of the World encompassing an area the size of Greater Los Angeles and hosting upwards of 70 temples dating back thousands of years. At one point it involved highways, reservoirs and thriving civilizations. To be honest, that is about as much as I know about the area and it's history. We were there for only 2 days and I have not read up much about it. Having been there, and knowing we will definitely be back someday, I look forward to diving deeper into it's steeped history. Come for a visit and we will take you there so we can all learn in awe together!
The 4:30a.m. alarm came way too early after a hellish Customs experience the night before had landed us in bed much later then anticipated. But, as they say, there is only one sunrise a day and we'd hate to miss it! We brought Graeme's bike seat along with us and rented bikes from the event. Having never been there, we really did not know what to expect but I think we were all surprised at the amount of tree's, shade and cool morning air. Graeme actually asked us if it snowed there! (you see, that is funny because it was probably 80 degrees out and Cambodia is known as the hottest place in all of SE Asia).
The ride was fantastic - gliding past temples and ruins, rice fields and endless groups of waving children. We took our time to take it all in. While the race is a large event, they could not actually close down the area - it's too big of a tourism draw as well many people actually live there - so we rode along with women heading to work on their bicycles, children heading to school, water buffalo meandering and monkey's looking for handouts. Unfortunately we saw many elephants as well. Unfortunate because they were being ridden by tourists - sorry, you are not supposed to ride elephants as an attraction, I don't care what story the dude selling the tickets spins you about how well they are cared for. Ahem....back to the fun stuff. This was truly an incredible experience and an amazingly fantastic way to be introduced to the sights of Angkor. We are absolutely beside ourselves for the opportunity and hopefully next year Graeme will be on his own bike for the ride!
If you would like to help, please CLICK HERE for Graeme's fundraising page. We don't usually ask others to help with things we are involved with but we really feel this is a worthwhile cause and would greatly appreciate any help at all possible. https://www.justgiving.com/Graeme-Hawken/
Here is a video of what the morning looked like:
The next day we set out to explore the temples. The thing to do is get there just prior to sunrise. Some of the temples were built in a way to great the sunrise and showcase its rays on the structures. Having already seen the sun rise the day before we got a later start and headed to Angkor Wat, the largest Religious structure in the world. Wow. I mean really. Wow. I would try to explain it but, well, I am not sure I can. This is truly a thing to see firsthand, my words would not do it justice. We spent just about 2 hours at the temple and I feel as if it would take me weeks with a personal guide to fully get a feel for the place and its purpose. Just unbelievably beautiful. To think of the engineering, foresight, fortitude, sense of community, and spirituality that went into creating this environment over 900 years ago! Angkor Wat itself was built in just 35 years (some of the great Cathedrals in Europe took up to 200 years to build), pulled the stone from over 20 miles away and is actually built on water - it is floating! Graeme had a blast exploring and climbing, dodging monkey's and, as usual, being a bit of an attraction himself for others to photograph. Still mind blowing, here we are at a world wonder, the largest religious structure in the world and you want to take a photo of our kid? He must have the "IT" factor going for sure....
From there we headed over to Ta Prom, which you may recognize from the movie Tomb Raider. We didn't last too long there as the heat crept in and it was time for us to hit the pool in preparation for our departure that evening.
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Tuk Tuk Life....
In and out and nobody got hurt. A quick trip for sure, but it's only a 40 minute flight and with the ease of life and culture that Cambodia affords us we will most definitely be back to explore more of what Angkor has to offer!
To see all of our Angkor pictures CLICK HERE.
It's Christmas Time in Vietnam
December and the Holiday's seemed to sneak up on us this year! Just like in the States, things tend to get a bit hectic here with social events, preparing for Santa, and planning for Winter Break. One of the things that has been different this year is that it seems that Christmas is EVERYWHERE in HCMC. Just 3 years ago you might have seen some decorations at an upscale hotel downtown. Last year I found us a tree at an obscure market stall in an out of the way district by just randomly spotting it. This year you cannot walk 10 feet without being able to buy a tree, ornaments, tinsel, etc...you name it, you can get it. Every building is done up to the nines with window dressings, blinking lights and decorated trees. We are literally watching Globalization happen right before our eyes and this is a great example of it. HCMC is quickly becoming an "International City" just like many other places in the world. Bit by bit losing what each place makes it special in lieu of catering to the Global Market. It's a fascinating process to watch and be a part of and mind bending how fast it takes hold, as well a bit sad.
SSIS has an annual Holiday Party for the staff and their significant others and each year it seems to outdo itself from the year before. The buildup is a bit intense, as people start to plan outfits, get custom made dresses and suits, coordinate pre-parties, etc. This year was no different and everyone donned their best gear and put on their dancing shoes to enjoy a great time. Of course, I had the hottest date of the night and a great time was had by all. I will just leave it at that because what happens at the SSIS Holiday Party stay's at the SSIS Holiday Party ;)
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Graeme has been very busy crafting decorations for the tree, baking cookies, visiting Santa and getting his list ready and mailed off to the North Pole. He is really in the spirit this year and for the first time he was not scared of sitting next to Santa for a picture. Adding a bit of giving to his holiday spirit, Erin created an Advent Calendar that involves a riddle each morning to try and find a little gift or a message for him to do something that day for someone else. He's been leaving little anonymous messages of thanks and praise for people, drawing pictures for others as well as delivering coffee and cookies to those he has chosen to brighten their day a bit. He has really been enjoying it and seems to get as much excitement out of giving to others as receiving his gifts.
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Somewhere along the line we snuck in Pajama Day at school. I will leave you with this fantastic photo of Graeme and a few of his buddies in his class. They were all holding hands before I asked to take their picture. Here you have USA, Korea, Hong Kong and Malaysia all represented. As adults we have so much to learn from our children and this felt like a touching moment in that regard.
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Next up is Christmas, well we will sneak in a quick trip to the beach beforehand. We are staying in Vietnam this year for the holiday and looking forward to being home and waking up to presents under the tree.
We hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season!
Hoà Bình,
The Hawken's in HCMC
#thetaoofgraeme
