FAIIINT

Motorbiking Through The Cambodian Countryside

Adventure

Motorbiking through the Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia on a Honda Dream. Dusty red orange sand roads. Motorbiking through the Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia, tuk tuks on the road. Motorbiking through the Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia. Motorbiking through the Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia. Local fisherman on the road. Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia, local shops by the side of the road. Motorbiking through the Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia, local on motorbike carrying rugs and blankets. Countryside landscape in Siem Reap Cambodia. Motorbiking through the Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia on a Honda Dream with Khmer Ways. Dusty red orange sand roads. Countryside landscape in Siem Reap Cambodia, cows by the side of the road. Countryside landscape in Siem Reap Cambodia, reservoir with wooden shelters. Motorbiking throught the Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia on a Honda Dream, roadside stop. Countryside landscape in Siem Reap Cambodia, fields and Kulen mountain. Motorbiking through the Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia on a Honda Dream with Khmer Ways, roadside stop. Countryside landscape in Siem Reap Cambodia by reservoir. Countryside landscape in Siem Reap Cambodia wooden shack shelter. Countryside landscape in Siem Reap Cambodia, stream and views of Phnom Kulen mountain. Countryside landscape in Siem Reap Cambodia, dusty sand roads. Motorbiking through the Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia lake and landscape. Motorbiking throught the Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia on a Honda Dream. Dusty red orange sand roads. Motorbiking throught the Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia on a Honda Dream with Khmer Ways. Countryside landscape in Siem Reap Cambodia, dusty sand roads and local on bike. Siem Reap Cambodia countryside ruins of Koh Kyorng overgrown with trees. Siem Reap Cambodia countryside ruins of Koh Kyorng overgrown with trees. Siem Reap Cambodia countryside ruins of Koh Kyorng overgrown with trees. Countryside landscape in Siem Reap Cambodia, dusty roads. Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia, small stupa on temple grounds. Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia, local shop with Cambodian flags. Siem Reap Cambodia Buddhist Temple. Colourful flags and decorations hanging inside bright painted Buddhist temple in Siem Reap Cambodia. Siem Reap Cambodia countryside dog and young boy with bike. Siem Reap Cambodia Buddhist temple small stupas in the garden. Colourful flags and decorations hanging inside bright painted Buddhist temple in Siem Reap Cambodia. Countryside landscape in Siem Reap Cambodia, field and Phnom Kulen mountain. Siem Reap Cambodia countryside houses. Countryside landscape in Siem Reap Cambodia, dusty red orange roads.. Countryside landscape in Siem Reap Cambodia, local girl and buffalo in field. Motorbiking throught the Siem Reap countryside in Cambodia on a Honda Dream with Khmer Ways. Dusty red orange sand roads.

Motorbiking with Khmer Ways / Siem Reap, Cambodia

Sat atop my little Honda Dream, covered in dust and squinting at the sun baked road, was when I knew I’d fallen in love with Cambodia. I can’t even begin to tell you how beautiful the countryside here is. Rusty roads, lush green fields, mountains peeking up from every horizon and bright blue skies as far as you can see. We spent 8 hours on our bikes riding down dusty roads, exploring ruins and temples, and almost every moment of it took my breath away.

This was one of the highlights of our trip, and I’d even go as far as to say it’s been one of my favourite life experiences too. I’m doing a happy sigh right now just thinking about it.

We came across Khmer Ways and their moto tours a few days before we left and immediately set aside a day to get out and explore the other side of Siem Reap, away from the busy city. We emailed to book the day before and were picked up from our hotel by our guide for the day, Nee, who took us over to their office to pick up our bikes. After a quick practice in the back yard and alleyway next to the house, we were lead out onto the busy main road to make our way north. Driving in the crazy Cambodian traffic was definitely an experience, but soon we were away from it all and onto the quieter country roads winding out of town.

As we drove along, we passed by villages and local kids rushed to the side of the road to wave at us as we went past. Riding through such beauty, the wind in your hair and the sun beating down on your skin was such a strange mixture of exciting and relaxing, it was kind of blissful. I genuinely could have spent days out here on my bike. Nee took us into his own village a few hours in, where we stopped for a snack and some ice cold drinks before making our way further out towards the mountain.

After more riding we stopped by a huge restored ancient reservoir for BBQ lunch. We were welcomed into the open hut by two women and treated to such a feast! A huge platter of fresh fruit to share, rice, BBQ chicken for Nat and vegetables for me, plus lots of fizzy drinks to keep our energy up. I took a walk around the grounds and sat on the dock for a while, dipping my feet into the cool water and trying the take it all in.

After a little nap in the hut, we set off again to our next stop, the ruins of Koh Kyorng. This temple is completely in ruins, overgrown with trees and roots, with only a few doorways and windows still standing amid the rubble. Despite this, we saw offerings and piles of stacking stones scattered around, showing that it is still visited and holds some importance. After the busy main temples, it was nice to see this one with no one else around, it truly felt like we’d just stumbled upon something special.

Last of our stops was a beautiful, active temple surrounded by a moat. It was so peaceful here, with barely another person in sight. A young monk curiously followed us around, hiding around corners and peeking out at us, too shy to come over until his friend appeared and came over to talk to us. Before heading off back to town, we sat inside and had a quiet few moments, listening to the birds sing and the cloth decorations flutter in the cool breeze. It was the perfect end to such a magical day.

If you’re in Siem Reap, this is something you really need to make time to fit in. I couldn’t recommend Khmer Ways more, and Nee was such a wonderful guide and a lovely guy too, we had so much fun with him. He took us to see all of the best sights along the way, stopped to point out photo opportunities and made sure we were both well looked after with a seemingly never ending supply of water and drinks. I don’t think I’ve ever been so dirty as I was when we got back, but it was so worth it!

Uncertain

Style

Rick Owens Twill Jacket / H&M Tee / Religion Draped Skirt / H&M Maxi Cardigan /
Le Lou Ula ‘Theurgy’ Ring / Birds N Bones ‘Taxidea Claw’ Ring / ASH ‘Poker’ Boots *

Although I’m glad to finally be able to leave the house without being bundled up in almost every layer I own, this time of year is my least favourite of our seasons. Mainly because it’s so unpredictable and it’s forever catching me out. One day it’s virtually summer, legs out, jacket off, the very next you’re shivering at the bus stop cursing yourself for optimistically leaving your layers at home. I really should know better by now after all these years. It’s funny how quickly you abandon the idea of sensibly carrying a few extra layers at the sight of a little sun after a long, cold winter though.

Chance

Style

Fashion blogger Stephanie of FAIIINT wearing All Saints dress, Vivienne Westwood animal toe shoes, Pieces wide leather belt. All black dark street style outfit. Fashion blogger Stephanie of FAIIINT wearing Wolf + Sadie Lucid Petite silver necklace and Theurgy claw ring, Elemental Luxury raw phantom quartz ring. All black outfit details. Fashion blogger Stephanie of FAIIINT wearing All Saints dress, Pieces wide leather waist belt, Wolf + Sadie Lucid Petite silver necklace and Theurgy claw ring, Elemental Luxury raw phantom quartz ring. All black outfit details.

All Saints Dress / Pieces Leather Waist Belt / Le Lou Ula ‘Petite Lucid’ Necklace / Elemental Luxury Phantom Quartz Ring / Le Lou Ula ‘Theurgy’ Ring / Vivienne Westwood Animal Toe Shoes / Bracher Emden Bag

One of my favourite things to do lately is to browse through eBay looking for old season All Saints pieces. It’s been quite a few years since I could walk into All Saints and literally want to buy everything. I used to dream about saving up a huge chunk of cash and blowing it all on a massive spree, but the last few years just haven’t filled me with the same excitement, bar the odd couple of really great pieces. The flip side of this though, is that all of those pieces I’d coveted years ago but couldn’t afford to buy are now up on eBay for tiny prices.

This dress was one of those pieces. I remember twirling around in this in the changing rooms, fluffing the skirt out and thinking of all the places I could wear it, before begrudgingly putting it back on the rail and walking away empty handed. I almost brought it in a size too large when it went in the sale, but then my common sense kicked in and I put it back once again. Now here we are, years later and by some random chance it pops up on eBay and I catch it 30 minutes before bidding ends, barely worn and in my size, for £25. It was every bit as perfect as I had remembered and now it’s set me off on a mission to hunt down a few other pieces I’d missed out on too.