One word on this whole topic – Eclectic
Right from the moment we landed in Phnom Phen, till we left from Siem Reap, I was constantly fascinated by all the modes of travel, the way people reacted on the roads, and the rules they followed.
In fact, it started even before we landed. As the plane was on its landing glide, I noticed the red roads. In Australia, I would simply have thought ‘outback dirts roads’. Not expecting the same red soil here, I thought it an optical illusion – but the reality – dirt roads.
Road Rules
First introduction to Cambodian road rules was the drive from the airport. Basic rule is drive on the right. Unless you can see a gap, or you are on the side of the road going the other way, then drive wherever you like in whatever direction you like.
There are no lane markings, and so if your side of the road is really intended for two lanes, but betweem bikes, motor scooters, motor bikes, cars and trucks you can manage 5 abreast then go for it – and if one ‘lane’ slows down, then weave in betwen the others.
Religion
The country is predominately Buddhist – so anger is not really an option. Road Rage is almost entirely absent. If you die, you will just be reincarnated.
Fuel
Now there are two types of fuel – human and petrol.
Human powered is either walking or cycling. The paucasity of bikes is amazing (mainly kids) and walking is a total matter of faith.
The petrol side of things shows the eclectic nature of supply.
At the bottom end of the market, petrol is supplied in bottles – mainly Coke.
Given the level of education in the country, I guess this provides a very visual way of setting the price for motor bikes. Just, with my background, I am not sure I am comfortable with the safety aspect of bottles of petrol sitting in the sun.
A slight level up is the hand pump on as drum. (Trouble is, I remember similar thing from my childhood)
Then there is the upmarket version aimed at the cars, SUVs and trucks:
The vehicles:
