i thought the traffic was mad in Phnom Penh .. and it is! Bikes traveling along only centimetres from other cars and tuk-tuks. People weaving in and out of traffic as though it’s a giant tapestry.

To cross the road, you just walk into the traffic. Bikes and cars move around you. Terrifying at first, until you get used to it.

Lauli described it as a giant stream full of many schools of fish. You need to learn to go with the flow.

Then i realised that the whole stream is moving at around 20-30kmh .. and actually the drivers are all really good at managing tight situations.

They drive slowly enough to be able to change course instantly. It helps that most people are on pushbike or moto .. you’re totally aware of everyone around you. Not cocooned and separate in a car.

No way would Australians drive slowly enough to manage this traffic.

When we got out of the city onto the open road, our driver hit 60kmh and it felt unbelievably fast. Oh, then you see the buses driving down the middle of the road at high speed. Now that really is mad.

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photo credit: thejonoakley

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