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21 NOVEMBER 2013 - KAMPONG CHNNANG TO CHOM BOK: 111KM

Sam started off strong, departing from the pagoda where we had spent the evening.  He powered through a 20km run via a small town that overlooked the countryside ahead. The day was hot and the road was long, but with the Sihanoukville finish line drawing closer, Sam started and remained in high spirits despite his fatigue.

For the past eight days the team has traversed myriad Cambodian landscapes: urban environments, wetlands, farmlands, jungle foothills and mud encrusted mountains -- but it was today’s landscape that proved the most charming.  Sam cycled down a red earth road surrounded by paddy fields, lofty lean coconut trees and bamboo huts on stilts.  Clumps of wild lemon balm littered the verge as darting swallows skimmed the lotus pond and delicate white butterflies wafted on a luxurious breeze.  Local fishermen cast long bamboo poles into fish filled lakes as Sam wove his way through this tranquil setting.

These are a few of my favorite things

Sam has spent over a hundred hours powering himself throughout this adventure; ample time to think, stew and

ruminate.  Today our team put the question to him, “What do you think about when you ride, run and swim?” After a short pause, Sam responded with the following:

- My family

- Delivering on my promise to the students of Sala Bai

- Cheeseburgers

- Individual Sala Bai students who have inspired me

- Delivering on the commitment I have made to those who have donated to complete this journey; standing with integrity

Thinking of Sala Bai, his family, and food -- classic Sam.  With these thoughts energizing him, Sam met the dusty afternoon trail.  Kampong life poured out in the road and school children on bicycles, herds of cattle and motorcycles created a virtual “Frogger” game for Sam and the support crew.  Successfully navigating through this rural hullabaloo, Sam clocked in 90km on the bicycle and a 21km run.  We bed down at our campsite in the Kirirom National Park this evening.

Go Sammy Go!  Tomorrow you’re on the home stretch.

Donate to support Sam, Sala Bai and the fight against human trafficking.

Watch 'A Step Between', a short documentary film that chronicles Sam's 2012 Cross-Cambodia Journey through the voice of one courageous human trafficking survivor.

And learn how Sala Bai empowers Cambodia's most impoverished young women to obtain employment in Siem Reap's growing hospitality industry in 'Khatna's Journey: A Sala Bai Story'.

- Meghan Shea and Gaynor Fitzgibbon