Highway 4: The best and worst of Cambodia:

Several times in this blog I have talked about highway 4. It is the main road from PP to Sihanouk, in my opinion the worst city in Cambodia all casinos and sex!!, However it is also the route to the islands which are lovely. It is Cambodia's principle port and now has Cambodia's fastest growing economy. In addition to that between PP and Kampong Speu it is almost wall to wall garment factories - they carry on for a little way beyond Chbar Mon but most are on the east side of town. As you can imagine all that makes it a very busy road.
Today we had to travel along it for about 25km going west, realised it was a wasted journey, turned around and came straight back!! (That's another story). Sitting on the back I really looked around and I feel it showed the worst and best of living in Cambodia. (Forgetting temples , islands and beeches - I mean day to day living)

The worst:
The dust - although the main part of the road is tarmac, it is usually safer for motos to drive along the dirt track that runs alongside.
The rubbish - especially by the factories, is bad
The traffic - just everything from large lorries to ox and cart (also countless carts carrying beds!!)
The lack of traffic laws - I should actually say the lack of anyone knowing or following the traffic laws (they do actually exist and are almost the exact same as in England except for the fact that they drive on the other side) - they follow their own which is look ahead and look after yourself.
The people who live on the road - often old, drunk or drugged, always sad (not many but they are here.)

Motos used as ambulances - children and adults that are on drips can often be seen on the back of a moto.

The best:
The scenery beyond the factories - it is gorgeous, rice fields, palm trees and in the distance hills.
The water - it is everywhere at the moment - rivers are full, lakes at their largest and paddy fields flooded
The local markets - you can buy everything and see everyone
The road side cafes - some of the best food in Cambodia (if you are with a Cambodian who can order for you)

The Monks - seen everywhere, cafes, posh cars, walking barefoot, on the back of motos (sitting sidesaddle) - taking selfies!

Life - It really is lived outside on or very near the street - however busy

The Weddings - that close one side of a duel carriageway - even highway 4
The Rubbish - they are trying, today I saw three lots of people picking it up, what they do with the sacks full I do not know
The smiles - people do smile at each other - they laugh at me
The cows - have right of way even on the busiest of roads
The traffic - it includes everything!!

Several things are in both sections, it will always depend on your mood - and whether you have just been scared witless by a lorry traveling the wrong way up the road - which area they belong in. The one thing that does belong in both is the building work. The old Cambodia is disappearing and a new one emerging- it is happening everywhere from the most remote area to Phnom Penh. It is always sad when you see the old disappear but I like having running water and electricity, why should others not have it?