The following pictures were taken in December of 2003 along
National Highway Route 6. This road connects the border town of Poipet
with Siem Reap, the stopping off point for visiting Angkor Wat.
Although it is a major national highway, the condition of the road is
so bad it would not even appear on a map if it was located in a modern
country. The cycle of rainy and dry seasons takes it toll on the road making
it almost impossible to improve. During the rainy season, large portions
of the road are covered in water making it impassable to all but off road
vehicles. During the dry season, the mud turns into dirt and dust which covers
absolutely everything, making everything take on an orange color. Although
the dust is bad enough, the road is so heavily potholed and torn up that you
feel the vehicle, you, and all of your possessions are going to be rattled
apart. The road from Poipet to Sisophon is horrible, but unbelieveably, the
conditions of the section from Sisophon to Siem Reap is even worse. Unfortunately,
there is nothing you can do about it except remember next time to fly to Siem
Reap instead.
As bad as the road is, ths sights visable along it are amazing. Gone are the
casinos of Poipet and the tourists of Angkor. The road takes you on a time warp
back into rural Khmer life. The road is lined with rice fields on both sides and
passing through Sisophon, the western nature of Phnom Pehn and Siem Reap take a
back seat. Driving along this road
you get the feeling it is impossible to live here but you come across scenes of
everyday life. The small market with people buying goods. Children walking in their
school uniforms. Gas stations composed of jugs and bottles filled with gasoline,
pre-measured based on the type of container. Pickup trucks used
as local busses transporting more people then you would ever think they could carry.
Motorcycles transporting everything from live animals to full size
bed mattresses. Occasionally you even see real gems such as a Khmer wedding taking place
with everyone made up in their best clothes. Fortunately, having a chance to see these things more
than made up for the road conditions and made the journey that much more enjoyable.
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