Posts made in November, 2007

>Wordless Wednesday #17 – Lost in thoughts

Posted by on Nov 28, 2007 in Cambodia, faces, rural, sights, Tonle Sap, Wordless Wednesday | 0 comments

>lost in thoughts copy

Check out other photos at the Wordless Wednesday HQ.

Share in top social networks!
Read More

>Wordless Wednesday-Thursday #16 – Express Delivery

Posted by on Nov 21, 2007 in Cambodia, downtown, moto-dups, sights, transportation, Wordless Wednesday | 0 comments

>

Moto taxi or motodop is the most common means of getting around the city and they’re not that difficult to spot! There are tens of thousands of them in the city, and they are wearing baseball caps.

So you want to go sightseeing? Go shopping? No problem. Just hop on a motodop, a 100cc scooter, helmet not required. A ride across town will cost around 2,000riels (50cents) to $1, more if there is more than one passenger. The price goes up a little at night.

Motodops not only ferry people around; it’s also used to transport goods.

express service copy

Visit other WW photos at Wordless Wednesday HQ.

Share in top social networks!
Read More

>Photo Hunt #5 – I love…

Posted by on Nov 17, 2007 in Cambodia, faces, Kep, people, Photo Hunt, travel | 0 comments

>

My man, and the sea…

This photo was taken in 2005, in the remote town of Kep. At first I didn’t want to go there because of previous experience, but then the very thought of R and me together in this sleepy town tickled my fancy. There we saw the last sunset of 2005. There is a superstition, or whatever you call it, that whoever you spend the New Year with, you will be with for the whole year. Isn’t it sweet? Finally, after 5 years of quiet (or the absence of) Christmas and NY celebration, I had someone special to celebrate it with.

Share in top social networks!
Read More

>Wordless Wednesday #15 – Phnom Penh Traffic

Posted by on Nov 14, 2007 in Cambodia, Phnom Penh, sights, transportation, travel, Wordless Wednesday | 0 comments

>

I’m back for the Wednesday-Thursday edition of Wordless Wednesday and my post still relate to the traffic in Phnom Penh. Here’s an introduction to the traffic situation in Phnom Penh.

PP traffic copy

Also, please don’t forget to check out other fab photos at the
Wordless Wednesday HQ.

Share in top social networks!
Read More

>Photo Hunt # 4 Flexible – Traffic (rules) in Phnom Penh

Posted by on Nov 11, 2007 in Cambodia, downtown, moto-dups, Phnom Penh, transportation | 1 comment

>

Hello. I am writing this post straight from Siem Reap for another work-related activity. I am staying at the fabulous Sokha Angkor Hotel, and I am restraining myself from telling you how fab it is here.

Anyways, on to this week’s photo hunt.
This week’s photo hunt theme is a challenge for me. Apart from rubber bands or gymnasts, I have no idea what exactly to put here.

Last Friday night, my husband and I were driving to a friend’s house last Friday, and we were sort of discussing about this week’s theme. We were so into the discussion when, out of nowhere, a black and speeding Toyota corolla overtook us. I screamed at the top of my lungs and cursed the high heavens! Oh yes, this is driving in Phnom Penh.

Let me give you an introduction to Phnom Penh traffic. The roads here are absolutely in chaos, as if there are no road rules to follow. Well, wait, there are NO road rules to follow! My point is… traffic rules are flexible here in Phnom Penh.


Basically, you can do as you please. Traffic rules can be bent or twisted in any way or direction, just like what contortionists to their bodies. To borrow my husband’s words:

The main driving requirements seem to be Eyes in the Back of your Head and an overall acceptance that anything can (and probably will) happen at some point during your journey.

You can drive on the right or the left – whichever side suits you best.
Red lights can be ignored if you please and top speed is a matter of personal choice.
Reversing out into heavy traffic is normal, just do it slowly and everyone will keep on moving around you.

Overtaking, undertaking, overtaking someone that is already overtaking or undertaking, cutting corners, short cuts across the pavements and through petrol stations are no problem,(if you can get onto the pavement, parked cars – street vendors stalls – building materials – refuse – cafe tables – everyone except pedestrians use the pavements).

Okay, there. I thought Phnom Penh’s traffic (rules) would be apt for this week.

So, this is all daytime driving when most are at work.
Can you imagine how it is at night?

Add in the intoxication and anonymity of nighttime and things really begin to get interesting…….

Share in top social networks!
Read More