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Day 8: Our Final Cycle is HOT HOT HOT (and so are we)

Kyle Taylor — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 03:56:00 +0000

Today we had only one objective: pound through the 50 kilometres and finish the challenge before literally melting into the road. We had a brilliant early morning boat ride to visit the floating markets where an 8-year-old kid taught us all a thing or two about sales, nearly managing to up-sell Lizzie from 20 bananas to 40 using the cunning tactic of grinning big while withholding change. He almost had us!

After a 30-minute transfer on the bus we saddled up to conquer our final ride of the trip: 50 kilometres, taking us to 420 kilometres total!!! It was hot and getting hotter so we powered through the first 25 kilometres in one go, stopping for a quick drink and cool down before hitting the road again to bang out another 15.

It comes easy to us at this point, zipping down country roads as motorbikes zoom past us. The rice paddies extend as far as the eye can see in every direction, criss-crossed by irrigation channels bringing water and, in turn, life to the vibrant Mekong Delta. Every few kilometres we would head up a little bridge where the waterways converge, pumping hard on the steep incline then enjoying the burst of speed on the way down the other end. Today was certainly "undulating!"

We stopped again 1 kilometre from the finish to regroup and finish how we started: together. It's amazing to think you can take three competing media agencies and one brilliant television station, unite them behind a common cause and raise over $50,000 for Australia for UNHCR then cycle across Cambodia and Vietnam as a team getting along every step of the way. Talk about an Inspired Adventure!

After snapping nine million photos in the 37-degree heat we hopped on the vans then hopped on a boat and cruised to an island in the Mekong Delta for a seafood FEAST of a lunch. Now it's onward to Saigon to party "media style!" Watch out big city. We're a comin'!

For the final time, GO TEAM!

Day 7: Tire Poppin' Fun!

Kyle Taylor — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:33:00 +0000

It was all blood, sweat, and tears (minus the blood and tears) today as we hunkered down and did what we came here to do: cycle! It was up at 6am, eating by 7am, and on the bikes by 8am today as we ere seventeen people on a mission: complete the cycle BEFORE it gets dehabilitatingly hot.

While we weren't entirely successful, we certainly powered through the majority of the day before the sun sept through and reached melting levels. Have I mentioned that it is unseasonably hot here at the minute?

There's actually not a whole lot to report here. We did 55km in under three hours, we had three flat tires, said farewell to Anj who heads back to Austalia for a wedding, we sat in hammocks when we finished, and we ate an incredible amount of lucky cow cheese. By my count, Claire and Laura were leading at six triangles each today. That's almost an entire wheel and its only 3pm!

Now it's such much needed R&R before dinner, bed, and one final day on the bikes. Is it really coming to an end?!?!

GO TEAM!

Day 6: A Comedy of Errors

Kyle Taylor — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:28:00 +0000

We have had such a clean run thus far, a morning where everything doesn't go perfectly well was not only expected but almost appreciated. Almost. Today we made the move from Cambodia to Vietnam which meant, devastatingly, having to say goodbye to Vutthu, our absolutely incredible local guide in Cambodia.

The border was as you'd expect: a paved road becomes a dirt road becomes no man's land as you drift between the two nations in a brilliant dance of changing states. Getting out of Cambodia was easy enough: passport, big stamp, big stamp, thump thump thump, grumpy look, grunt, intense eye contact with immigration official, done.

Entering Vietnam, however, was a bit more tricky. The Embassy in Australia misdated Dan's visa, which meant a last-minute wham bam emergency version so he could enter. Vi had an e-visa which, while valid, could not be used at this land border crossing for no reason in particular. Just a "special" one. W begged and pleaded and sat and waited as our new local guide "made a call." Somehow, miraculously, after a little official money for a new visa and quite a bit of unofficial money for the privilege, Vi too made it in! It's was great news, as we had been planning her return to Pnomh Penh (5 hours away) to get a new visa using the public bus then returning to the border and re-entering Vietnam only to join us at our hotel another 3 hours beyond the border. Thankfully, she and I didn't have to do that!

Because of the delay we had to modify our cycling distance a bit (though we will still pass 400 km in total). I gave a rousing speech about how ur luck would change only to have it start pouring with rain before Kate and a moped got a little too close for comfort.

Thankfully, there were hammocks and laughing cow cheese waiting for us at lunch and we devoured every last bite! It's onward to the hotel now for some MUCH NEEDED rest and relaxation. Tomorrow is a new day and a fresh start in our new host country. Can't wait!

GO TEAM!

Day 5: Bikes, Kids, & Elections, Oh My!

Kyle Taylor — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:57:00 +0000

Before we went off to bed last night the four teams competed in one of many challenges that have faced them the past five days. This one involved drawing another team's name from a hat then heading to the markets and buying a present for them that was iconic enough to get all teams to guess who bought it and who they bought it for. No easy task, save for SBS, who wiped the floor with MediaCom, Mindshare, and OMD, securing a PERFECT SCORE and a miniature Buddha for the effort. I've never seen such carnage.

We hit the road early today and were on our bikes cycling by 8:30am. The pounding sun wasn't yet in full force, which made the first part of our ride incredibly enjoyable! At the end of that leg - 25 kilometres - we pulled off for a rest in front of a school right as recess was starting! It was absolutely epic. Running, screaming, chanting, cheering, hugging, loving, and lots and lots of laughing. There is universal joy in making kids laugh and we had a blast riling them up before setting off on the second leg of the day.

I hopped safely into the back of the mechanic's truck and made a valiant effort to snap flattering photos (not successful, but who could be with this group?) of every person here who has worked so incredibly hard for themselves, their organisations, Inspired Adventures, and Australia for UNHCR! The team are just $500 shy of raising $50,000. A phenomenal accomplishment!

Another short break later and we were back in the saddle, wrapping up a mega day with a slightly shorter third leg of 15 kilometres. From there it was off to lunch, where we managed to catch both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama's post-election speeches before re-boarding the bus for Kep, a sleepy beach town on Cambodia's south coast.

It will be a quick dip in the ocean tonight followed by dinner and a mega slumber as we rest up for three more days of cycling in brilliant Vietnam. We can't wait!

GO TEAM!

Day 4: Resting up for the next four!

Kyle Taylor — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 09:43:00 +0000

Today was all about recharging our batteries and learning as much as possible about the history, people and culture of our incredibly gracious host country. It started with a somber visit to both the genocide museum and the killing fields, where we were confronted by the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge that so badly affected this nation.

After a another full-on lunch we tried to get more involved with the Cambodia of now, heading to the markets in true Inspired fashion: in an extremely exciting (and phenomenally safe) tuk tuk race across the city! Thanks to our brilliant drivers who joined in the fun and all the shopkeepers who gave us all "very good deals."

It's back on the bikes tomorrow so time to sleep!

GO TEAM!

Day 3: 72 Kilometers in 3 hours. What the what!?!?

Kyle Taylor — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 09:36:00 +0000

Today we came to play. Go big or go home was the name of the game and we went big! It was early to rise as we were at breakfast by 6am and driving away by 6:30am. After a three-hour bus transfer out of the hustle and bustle of Siem Reap we hopped back on our bikes for a 3-hour no-holds-barred cycle of our lives, averaging 24 kilometres an hour on what would definitely be considered "undulating" terrain.

The whole group gave it their all and it was definitely a team effort. Such a team effort, in fact, that Amy acquired a gang of kids using pens and notepads as bait. It started with just three or four but as news spread the kids came literally running down the road from every direction! One girl wearing bright pink pants took a particular liking to Amy and was desperate for a photo of the two of them, which we snapped!

We had yet another brilliant lunch at a Buddhist-run non-profit restaurant aptly named "Smile" (which we did, as the food was AMAZING) before hopping on the bus to cruise into Phnom Penh just as the sun was setting. We made a pitstop en route to discover we had some competition on the bikes. An army of teenage girls cruising along like it was nothing!

Special shout out today to Kate, who used "nature's toilet" for the first time in her life!

More soon. Go team!

Day 2: Bring on the heat, bring on the temples!

Kyle Taylor — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 15:03:00 +0000

By 8am as we prepped our bikes for the day ahead the sun was already pounding down on us. Thankfully, this time we were ready for it, embracing its all-encompassing warmth that brings red faces, feeling puffed, and sweat. Lots and lots of sweat!

Today we did a mad dash around the Angkor complex, stopping at Angkor Thom, the Tomb Raider jungle temple, the lady's temple, and finally Angkoor Wot itself - the crowning achievement of what was one of the world's first great civilisations. When Angkor was a bustling metropolis of more than 1 million people, London was a country village of just 50,000. It's truly remarkable.

The intricate detail of the peering faces at Angkor Thom were spectacular. What wasn't so spectacular was the human wal l of unaware tourists in every possible direction. Still, we managed to snap some brilliant group shots and agree on a photo theme for the day: JUMPING!

Jumped at Angkor Thom and we jumped at Angkor Wot. Dan got funky and super excited at the jungle temple and then joined Claire in the all-star jumping photo at Angkor Wot. It was an all-out fun-splosion!

As we also needed to cover 60km on the cycles today, we hunkered down and did the second bigger portion - 35 kilometres - in two big sections jut before the afternoon heat took our breath away. In fact, we even worked in a ACTUAL 10km bike race, with special congrats to Sam and Amy, who were victorious!

Our day finished at the awe-inspiring Angkor Wot, where we firt met a group of monks who asked us, "why are you wearing matching outfits?" To which we responded, "we are a charity group on a challenge together. Why are you wearing the same outfit?" They thought this was hilarious!

From there it was inside to begin one of the trip's major challenges: a photo hunt through the entire complex for three very specific reliefs. While everyone started quite casually, within ten minutes you could tell the teams were edging for victory. In fact, the entire thing ended in a full-on running race across the complex (note the two matching shirts in the bottom left of the picture below).

Mindshare claimed victory, with MediaCom a close second thanks to Amy's brilliant hustle at the end! It was another dip in the pool for us (60km in 42-degree heat is no laughing matter) followed by dinner and bed. Tomorrow is an early one. 75 kilometres to cover!

GO TEAM!

P.S. A special shoutout to Liz, who struggled (but succeeded) to take a photo of some tourists using their POLAROID HELLO KITTY CAMERA. Yes, that happened. Well done!

Day 1 - Team Inspired SBS for UNHCR finds the world's next David Beckham

Kyle Taylor — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 23:43:00 +0000

It's 7am and it's hot. Really really hot. The team is prepping for a 50 kilometre day one cycle and just standing still in the shade leaves sweat lingering on our brows in this unseasonably hot November. But this is an Inspired Adventure and the challenge is to be expected. Embraced, even.

We hop on the bus and bumble to the entry gate of The Angkor complex, have our badge photos snapped, prep our bikes, and head off into the rice-paddy jungle that is Southeast Asia.

It doesn't take long for us to find our "wheels" (even Jared, who only just learned to ride a bike a few months ago for this trip) and before we know it we have arrived at a school deep in the countryside, which is locate down an unsealed side road that I would have missed had it not been for our brilliant guide Vutu.

We devour our lunch, recharging our battery packs for what is to become a wild two-hour soccer extravaganza encompassing 16 Inspired Adventurers and every kid in the school that wants to join in! It was absolute street ball style, no holds barred fun!

The goals were blocked by a wall of kids (brilliant strategy) and both teams had a power forward that was no taller than my hip but faster than a cheetah and more agile than whatever animal is really darn agile. These kids were stellar!

We played everyone in then just the girls then just the boys before finishing with an MVP match that pitted Dan and boy wonder against James and boy wonder's best friend. It was brilliant soccer on any scale and wildly entertaining!

Just after 3pm we saddled back up and hit the dirt road again (this time nearly wilting in big sand pits), cruising all the way back to where we started in the cooler afternoon air. A little dip in the pool was followed by a fantastic dinner at one of Siem Reap's newest non-profit restaurants that trains street youth in hospitality. Now it's off to bed, as we have another massive day tomorrow!

Big shout out to Dan, who took MVP with his little buddy and also managed to stack it TWICE today, the second time falling off his bike while sanading still. Nice one Dan!

GO TEAM!

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Day 9 - Will the real Machu Picchu please stand up?

Kyle Taylor — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 21:54:00 +0000

It was no trouble waking people up this morning. After all, we were headed to Machu Picchu - the culmination of this amazing adventure! It started with a death-defying bus ride up once again deep into the Andes. After all, Machu Picchu is the list city of the Incas and as such, it really had to be "found!"

Unlike the rest of our Inspired Adventure, this UNESCO World Heritage site was understandably teeming with people from every corner of the globe! Still, we managed to make our way slowly to the first spot where Machu Picchu can be seen. Our guide Jamie had us close our eyes and holds hands from just behind a tree, leading us slowly out to the platform then pronouncing "open your eyes and together, see the incredible Machu Picchu!"

It was, genuinely and truly, one of the most amazing sites any of this group had ever seen. Perched magnificently at the base of a mountain, the structures move outward in a circular fashion, seemingly propped up by terraced fields carved into the side of the hilltop that cascade deep into the valley below. To think the structures were constructed some 600 years ago is simply inspiring.

After ogling and dodging other tourists for an hour or so, we continued our exploration of the site before climbing to the summit of Waynapicchu (that giant huge tall massive mountain behind the site itself). Steps, steps, and more steps led us 400 metres up to sweeping views across the entire region, a genuine birds-eye view of one of the seven new world wonders. Simply marvellous.

After that three-hour hike we were understandably exhausted and headed back to Aguascalientes for a celebratory drink and lunch before boarding our train then bus back to Cusco, finally reaching our hotel a little after 9pm. My, what a day!

Now it's time for a little shopping, a little eating, and a whole lot of celebrating before our big return to the land down under!

For the very last time, GO TEAM!

One final thanks to LJ (pictured below) for h ridiculous poses throughout the trip. What would we have done without you?!?!

Day 8 - On the cusp of Machu Picchu

Kyle Taylor — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:19:00 +0000

"Good morning! Hot water and soap for you! Do you want tea?" This is our final morning being woken at 6am by our amazing guides Jamie and Nilo, who welcome us to the day with an offer of warm beverages and everything we need to wash up. It helps get us out of our sleeping bags despite the cold and the rain.

By 6:45 we are sitting in the dining tent and chowing down on an ensemble of Philadelphia cream cheese, peanut butter, crackers, and, today, pancakes with llamas and happy faces drawn in dulce de leche. To say we are "glam ping" (glamour camping) is a bit more accurate!

Again, we are off on our trek with blue slides above. Today is more of a cool-down following three fairly intense days of summiting numerous passes as we criss crossed Peru's awe-inspiring Lares Valley. Still, the that of rain looms above and by snack time we are packing on the rain gear!

Another hour and we reach Ollantaytambo, the gateway to the gateway to Machu Picchu, so to speak. This is where we will board the train that takes us to the MP and my goodness, we can't wait! After exploring the Incan ruins and having a brilliant history lesson from our head guide Jamie, we devoured yet another fantastic meal and did a little shopping in the local market.

Sadly, we also had to say farewell to our out-of-this-word camping crew, without whom we would not have been able to complete this fantastic journey. From our cook Alex to our driver Isaac, the entire team were helpful, professional, and above all else, quite funny! Each goodbye elicited a "que se quede!! Que se quede!!!" which means "get them to stay! Get them to stay!" Believe me, I think we would if we could!

We are now on our Velodrome luxo train churning closer and closer to our ultimate goal - casting our eyes on a genuine wonder of the world - Machu Picchu! Only one more sleep to go. Hurray!

Go team!

P.S. How creepy is this mask? Thanks Lizzy!