#1: [22-Aug-04]

05-Apr-2008 --

The 5th International Circus 'Tini Tinou' (Here and There) was being held in Battambang from 3rd - 6th April 2008 and visiting this festival provided a great opportunity to also squeeze in a visit to another Point of Confluence, 13N 103E.

On Saturday 05-Apr-08, my partner Vivian and I hired a motor bike for the afternoon and set off along Road 10 towards Palin. The trip along Road 10 was very dusty but fortunately in much better condition than when Mr. Suzuki and Tran visited in 2004 and so it was great to reach a side road approximately 6km from the point where we tuned north towards 13-103. We soon ran out of 'road' and we then all but ran out of tracks as well. After around an hour of traveling over rice field tracks, we arrived at a well made laterite (red gravel) road which ran to only 500m from the point. It would have been much quicker traveling, however the cross country trail was definitely more interesting.

We parked the motorbike at the local sugar cane drink store and checked about land mine safety before walking across the freshly ploughed fields to the 'point' in the very hot and bright sun. Back to the bike and of course, a sugar cane drink followed by a chat with the locals before heading back along the good road towards Battambang. We were soon relieved of the heat as we were caught in a heavy downpour which is quite unusual in the middle of the hot and dry season.

We were almost dry by the time we arrived back in Battambang and then went to the evening's circus which was fantastic.

Another great trip in rural Cambodia!

For the curious, the GPS is a GlobalSat GH-615M wrist-watch style sports GPS and it has been a really great unit. Further information on this unit can be found at: GlobalSat GH-615