Pursat

Pursat was an important hub when Cambodia's railway was working at it's best in the 1920's and 1930's.

Creepy rabbits are sometimes depicted in the countryside. What I see as creepy, they may see as playful.

Freehand, backside of building wall art. Not bad. Better than traditional graffiti - in my view.

While roaming around residential Pursat, we found this home to be among the architecturally more interesting. We asked the owners if we may photograph their home. They obliged and afterwards invited us for tea.

After the overthrow of Khmer Rouge, it was established the original homeowners were killed and these people arranged title with the wobbly powers at the time.

The government took a little island, covered the perimeter with cement to look like a ship and put in a big event space. Interesting.

Derelict Pursat train station.

The Bamboo Railways of Cambodia

One must keep in mind Cambodia is a contemporary war-torn country. It has been only since 1993 any semblance of safety, electrical power, running water and governance has been in place.

Since, roads have been greatly improved, among other things.

Cambodia's railroad system however is in absolute shambles. Once a week (approximately) one train barely ambles across the country from Phnom Penh to Batambang near the Thai boarder and back. Top speed - about 3.5 miles per-hour. Even at this speed, derailments are not uncommon. Cambodia's passenger rail cars make Bangladesh's look like the Orient Express in comparison.

But not to fear, the Bamboo Railways of Cambodia are here!

Along the hundreds of kilometers of railroad track are hundreds of entrepreneurs that rip up and down the unused track on what they call, 'Bamboo Trains'. No government intervention in this rail system. These bamboo railroad operators have hashed-out their own territories, timetables and inner connection points.

Here are some photographs followed by a bamboo train video shot by Chean Long.

Bamboo Train Video:

Siem Reap Flood

Siem Reap, Cambodia is where the Angkor Wat temples are located. The largest ancient temple complex in the world. This week the town was flooded by monsoons. A friend of mine emailed these pictures while up there for business this week.