APAD 219: Belgian cholates
What I got from Santa last Christmas, from the local chocolatiers, The Shop.
APAD 126: Green things growing
I love, I love them so – my green things growing!
And I think that they love me, without false showing;
For by many a tender touch, they comfort me so much,
With the soft mute comfort of green things growing.
– From the poem, Green Things Growing, by Dinah Maria Mulock.
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APAD 120: Special delivery by cyclo
This is a common sight everywhere in the city. The lowly cyclo, a local three-wheeled rickshaw, is one of the most enduring means of local transportation here in Cambodia. It is human-powered and equipped with seat to carry passengers. And cargoes, all sorts, such as above. It is estimated that there are around 2,000 cyclos plying the streets of Phnom Penh.
I like riding on a cyclo. It is slow, yes, but I like it because it gives me the opportunity to savour the sights and sounds of Phnom Penh. But these days, when the number of vehicles have quadrupled since the day I arrived in the Kingdom (11 years ago!), I rarely take the cyclo anymore. The once pleasurable cyclo ride has turned into a terrifying one, at least for me. Drivers don’t use the correct lanes, don’t observe traffic rules, and they have made the cyclo driver’s job harder and riskier. I just pray that the cyclo drivers go about their daily route safe and sound each day.
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APAD 115: Traffic accident
Saw this yesterday while on our way home. Seeing a scene like this again made me realise the danger of driving here. Vehicular accidents like this are very common in Cambodia. In fact, traffic accidents are a leading cause of deaths in Cambodia.
While browsing online, I chanced upon a blog named Life in Cambodia, owned by an American missionary. In one of his posts he cited an article entitled, Driving Tips for Cambodian Streets, by James Cottle, as being an accurate description of how driving is like here. In the article, Cottle drew comparisons between a Western driver and a Cambodian driver:
- Westerners say, “A road is a place of order where people follow and lead in an effort to get to where they want to go.” In Cambodia the attitude follows a thought more like, “The road is an area (dirt, paved or grassy area) that I can use however I see fit in order to be first in getting to where I want to go.
- Westerners say, “This is my side of the road, that is your side.” In Cambodia the lanes are places to be used no matter if there is a yellow divider line or not. Motos will frequently drive along the side of the road going the wrong way looking for an opening to cross to the correct side.
- Westerners say, “I have my highway rights.” In Cambodia you have the right to move over as three vehicles come your way “in your lane.” Hanging on to your highway rights just to defy the new culture of Cambodia is a sure way to get into an accident because the other quickly-approaching car is thinking you are going to get out of his way.
- Westerners say, “Just obey the signs, signal lights, and speed limits.” In Cambodia most of this traffic paraphernalia is suggestive only. You will not want to depend on others to place the same value on these things as you do.
- Westerners say, “This doesn’t make any sense at all.” In Cambodia many of the driving methods are ludicrous but some of them make perfect sense once you begin to understand the system. Unfortunately it will take time (maybe a few years) before you really begin to comprehend the reason behind the madness.
- Westerners say, “Thanks for letting me pull out in front of you; I’ll hurry and get out of your way.” In Cambodia take your time even when someone has shown a kind gesture, don’t worry about holding them up. They understand the cost of quickly crossing lanes.
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APAD 096: Battle of the Bugs
Uh-oh, looks like the fly is done for. Poor thing. It is indeed the survival of the fittest out there…
Looking at this again and again gives me the willies… I certainly wouldn’t want to be caught in the middle of that!
Took this photo long ago when my point-and-shoot digi-cam was brand new. I tried the macro-shot feature and could not believe how it turned out – an incredible extreme close up of bugs slugging it out. I love the depth of field here. I was just there, at the right place and at the right time, lucky me.(Poor fly though.) My husband said this would be an excellent and useful picture for teaching food chain.
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APAD 089: The Royal Palace by night…
Night shots have frustrated me for some time now especially that I’m only using a point-and-shoot digicam. My mistake always lie on my use and/or improper use of flash. The ISO setting doesn’t really do much to improve my shots either. They tend to be grainy and artificial looking. Bu then, one night last week, I got lucky.
I was snapping like crazy while we drove long Sisowath Quay and out of the dozen photos, this one, taken just before we passed in front of the Royal Palace, isn’t really bad.I love how this picture turned out. What do you think?
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