FART photos, California

On August 1, 2008 By Rick McIn cycling, kayaking, photos, travelLeave a comment

I was relegated (by illness) to photographer / support team for the Funtastics Adventure Racing Team in Half Moon Bay.

The FARTs completed their longest race to date — Ocean Blue — in 8hrs, 40min. The rest of us FARTs were “proud and inspired”.

Morgen, Dave, Andy, Jeni

Many more experienced teams did not finish the harsh ocean kayaking, mountain biking and trail running course.

The night after the race we drove to Napa Valley, hosted for a gourmet dinner by friends of Dave and Lisa.

Napa valley grapes

We finished in gorgeous Lake Taho, there to cycle with the Big Blue race organizer.

Last morning: run on the Rubicon Trail.

See all the photos from this road trip on flickr.

The next race for the FARTs is longer and tougher, Big Blue, Lake Tahoe, September 20, 2008.

Funtastics Adventure Racing Team – official website

Here’s a video and slideshow highlight reel of the race and road trip. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Parksville, B.C. photos

On July 25, 2008 By Rick McIn McCharles family, photos, travelLeave a comment

I enjoyed a week long visit with my parents at their home on the east coast of Vancouver Island.

My brother Rob was there too. And on his last night cooked up a big summer barbecue feast of steak, halibut, salmon and more.

Oysters

low tide

Click through to flickr if you want to see the rest of my pics from the trip.

Sadly, I got sick with a summer cold the last few days there.

departing for Adventure Race today

On July 25, 2008 By Rick McIn cycling, health & fitness, travelLeave a comment

Ocean Blue, San Francisco, California – July 26th, 2008

Where is the start line? And what’s the course record?

AGH.

UPDATE: I’m sick with the dread Cambodian Flu (I assume). Might not be able to race.

Glaser photos from Hawaii

On July 19, 2008 By Rick McIn photos, travelLeave a comment

Jonathan posted some on Facebook.

Looks GREAT.

is Cambodia safe?

On July 19, 2008 By Rick McIn travelLeave a comment

With over 2 million tourists visiting Angkor Wat last year, it seems the era of Cambodia being “dangerous for tourists” is over.

But I was close to murderers myself in the capital Phnom Penh. (The average is 5 fatalities and 10 serious injuries in crime incidents each month in the city of 1 million.)

Mr Khim Sambor, a journalist for the Moneaksekar Khmer newspaper, and his son were tragically shot to death on the afternoon of 11 July 2008.

His paper is a Khmer language newspaper published in Cambodia with its headquarters in Phnom Penh. It is published by the Sam Rainsy party. The SRP is one of the main opponents to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). In fact, Sam Rainsy himself is an outspoken government critic.

Since the election is coming up the end of July, many suspect it an assassination to stifle opposition to the CPP.

I was teaching gymnastics at the Olympic Stadium the same day. We finished at 5PM. The shots came from motorbike-riding assailants at around 6:30 PM in the street outside the Stadium. Father and son had been exercising.

photo – 2PM, July 11th, 2008

I’m not saying the CPP are responsible. But whoever is responsible is a supporter of the CPP, I would wager.

Sambor and his son are only the most recent of many opposition assassinations.

My condolences to the family.

more photos – Mourning ceremony for Khim Sambo and Son

The assassination of Mr Khim Sambor is a political threat – Sam Rainsy Party statement

Cambodian journalist from opposition newspaper shot dead – AP

Sam Rainsy Party

dangers of Cambodia – Wikitravel

photos from Cambodia

On July 18, 2008 By Rick McIn photos, travelLeave a comment

Sunrise over the Mekong:

I was up very early every day due to Jetlag. Went to bed at 8PM most nights after a dusk walk along the river.

The main impression visitors get of Phnom Penh is the zany, dangerous traffic.

Only one day did we get out of town. The countryside is peaceful and gorgeous.

Temple arch.

more photos – flickr

gymnastics photos from Cambodia – flickr

rich and poor in Phnom Penh

On July 15, 2008 By Rick McIn economics, travelLeave a comment

My hotel in the Cambodian capital is EXCELLENT. (Even the U.N. election watchdogs here right now deem it worthy.)

A frequent sponsor of the Cambodian Olympic Committee, they are probably only charging a cut rate ~~$140~~ $86 / night. Or something like that.

Across the street is the OKAY Guesthouse. The sweaty backpacker crowd are paying $1 / night for dorm bed with mosquito net and fan. $4 / night for a private room. $6 / night for private room with bath and T.V.

A can of Diet Coke is $4 at my hotel.

When I told my host that 10yrs-ago I stayed at the infamous Cloud 9 Guesthouse, he was mortified. “There’s no security there!”

No security. But much more FUN.

A truism so overwhelming as to be boring is the contrast between rich and poor in developing countries.

This guy and his family own a garbage cart.

The conspicuous rich (and how many could have actually earned these fortunes) MUST drive Toyota Land Cruisers or Lexus SUVs. It’s the #1 status symbol. And just to be sure you cannot miss seeing their status symbol, the companies now put the name in really big letters.

How embarrassing.

… HEY. Where’s my personal driver and Mercedes van? He’s LATE!

what’s hot in Cambodia

On July 10, 2008 By Rick McIn travelLeave a comment

The weather, of course. Though it’s not nearly as oppressive as I feared. Especially inside my air conditioned hotel and lecture room.

Most of the talk on the street is about high FUEL and FOOD costs. If you think you have it bad, consider the borderline existence of people in the developing world.

The good news is the recent announcement that a temple called Prasat Preah Vihear is now a protected World Heritage Site. Long term, tourism is the best economic base for this tortured nation. Cheap manufacturing has not taken off here as yet.

Thailand wanted to co-sponsor the nomination of this temple as it is close to the border. Cambodia refused, seeking to remind their friends that the attraction is in Cambodia.

PreahVihear.com

greetings from Phnom Penh

On July 8, 2008 By Rick McIn gymnastics, travelLeave a comment

I’ve often wondered who is occupying those 5 Star hotel rooms in developing countries.

Are they all doing business and holiday? Or are many some sort of “volunteer”, their tab being covered by some NGO or governmental budget?

This time, it’s me.

The Hotel Cambodiana is drenched at the moment. This is the really rainy season in Cambodia.

I had some drama getting here after arriving for my flight a day late. (Sunday at 2AM does not mean Monday at 2AM.) Happily United Airlines was very helpful. And charged only a $75 ticket change fee.

Next Cathay Pacific bent over backwards to help, putting me on the “standby” list for free. Though I was #24 on the standby list for Vancouver to Hong Kong, by persistence I ended up snagging the very last seat belt. (Called the “Jump Seat”.)

Whew!

Despite communication problems in advance of the course, all was well once I finally got here. I had more than 20 keen gymnastics coaches from across the country at my introductory session this afternoon. It’s very well organized.