Today we drove from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. The guidebooks and drivers say it takes about four and a half hours. We took seven and a half!
Cross this off the bucket list.
The standard of roads tells you that we are definitely in a third world country. As your bones are reset over potholes and gravel, you're left wondering why massive high-end apartment complexes are being developed in Phnom Penh (and even one in the middle of nowhere) for people who can't afford it. Meanwhile farmers have appalling infrastructure to get their produce to markets. Yesterday we had to wait while a police escorted cavalcade delivered a VIP to a restaurant in a swish part of Phnom Penh. If the VIP wanted to lunch in the country, the roads would be fixed quick smart.
While there are some works underway, the scale of effort required is large and will take decades at the current rate. Meanwhile the quality of what is done is poor.
Our driver Toul, took us to his parents' place which was on the way. Nice and simple folk. Living in the countryside as farmers meant their changes with Pol Pot were greater. Even Toul's grandmother is still alive at 91! His parents have to rebuild their dwelling next year. They have borers and being good Bhuddists won't treat them.
We stopped for lunch at Kompong Thom. The only other thing to do was take photos of the variety of transport and flat scenery.
We rolled into busy Siem Reap at 5pm.
Bruce went for a massage while I underwent retail therapy. We went to the local Friends restaurant, Marum. Very nice but too much food again. It was topped off with birthday cake from an Australian lady who had a large party of friends celebrating with her. She shared the cake around the restaurant which was very generous.
Home via the Night Market.