Cambodia – The Land of Smiles

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The travel bug has bitten again. Hard and vicious.

*Sigh*

So to psyche me up to spend all my money again on seeing the world, I thought I’d write a few blogs on some of my favourite travel experiences. I hope you enjoy them and it inspires you to go experience whatever it is that you need to experience!

The country at the top of my list of travel memories right now, is Cambodia, which I like to refer to as ‘The Land of Smiles’.

Khmer people are the friendliest people that I have ever met…and I’m talking genuine friendliness, you know…the kind where you feel that they are genuinely happy to meet you? As a traveller in a third world country (I mean real third world, not South Africa-style third world), you will always encounter the unpleasant hasslings of locals who want your money, but Cambodia welcomes you with open arms and a big, big smile. Okay, the exception would be a border post between Thailand and Cambodia, but even that was enough of a bizarre experience to think I’d do it again.

Considering what these people had been through with the Khmer Rouge brutality (a visit to the killing fields left shivers down my spine to this day – which is why you will not see any photos on this blog post of this),  still seemingly unknown to a lot of the world, the genocide and absolute inhumanity that they experienced seems to have made them stronger and they still manage to smile and forgive. Insane.

Okay, enough ramblings, a picture tells a thousand words…

Angkor Temples - Cambodia
Angkor Temples - Cambodia
Angkor Temples - Cambodia
Pra Thom temple at the Angkor Temples - Cambodia
Monk at the Angkor Temples - Cambodia
Sunset at the Angkor Temples - Cambodia
Deep-fried tarantulas in Siem Reap - Cambodia!
Khmer child in Siem Reap - Cambodia
"Tailor" in a market in Siem Reap - Cambodia
Remote Bamboo Island in Sihanoukville - Cambodia
Remote Bamboo Island in Sihanoukville - Cambodia
Sunset on Bamboo Island, Sihanoukville - Cambodia

Travel, travel, travel! That will be my mantra from now on…watch this space!

Mind over Body, or Body over Mind?

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I participated in my first spinathon for charity this past Saturday, hosted by Virgin Active in aid of raising funds and awareness for the The Bigshoes Foundation. The foundation is an amazing initiative to provide medical assistance to orphaned and vulnerable children, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS. I was quite humbled that my participation in this event helped to raise funds for a foundation that is so full of heart.

It was such an awesome vibe and there were loads of goodies and prizes (although I would have much preferred if those freebies were rather converted into funds and donated to the charity), and really quite relaxed. I was even tweeting and facebooking from my bike!

Proof:

Well done to the organisers – it was great fun! Support the foundation in any way you can. You can also follow them on Twitter @bigshoessa and join their Facebook group – Friends of Bigshoes.

Here’s my personal take on the whole concept:

It started as a grudge purchase…”must go to gym so that I can keep enjoying my food without getting fat”. It then became an escape from an unhappy relationship and exercise is now an essential part of my life! Not only does it feel good, but the side effects are really quite a bonus! Starting a day with a wonderful rush of endorphins never hurt anyone.

So when I decided at the last minute to join a 3 hour spinathon, I didn’t really think twice. Spinning is easy for me and lots of fun. I woke up and rolled out of bed into my spinning gear, not even bothering to have breakfast on the way out the door. Apparently it was actually quite a challenge, but it surprisingly wasn’t that difficult for me…huh? 3 Hours non-stop on a stationary bike at intervals of high and low impact…there is something wrong with my head, I think.

This then bears the question – was it a case of mind over body, or body over mind? Did my mind tell my body it was easy, or did my body tell my mind to shut off and just do it? Either way, I think it made me realise that our bodies are far stronger than we believe that they are. This then also means that our minds are definitely stronger than we think!

Exercise is powerful.

I’ve had numerous signs over the past few days since the spinathon to tell me that I’m stronger than I think –  something is definitely shifting in this mind of mine.

I encourage you to do something this week that moves you, in body and mind. It’s how we feel alive…