The railway line here is disused, but the locals have adapted it to their needs. They take two axles with wheels, a flatbed platform and a motor, put it all together and you have the bamboo train. Perhaps not the most comfortable to sit on, as the track isn't in great condition and you tend to feel every kerbump, but efficient none the less. In fact, it was a little frightening just how fast they can get up to. Of course there are no brakes, the driver has a stick that he uses on the fan belt to slow it up if necessary, and for a full stop you turn off the motor.
Quite a few of the volunteers and some of the older students with Jim and I, set out this morning to experience this unique form of transport. After a short tuk tuk ride, we all piled on board our little raft. After only a short time we stopped for fuel. Now this alone is quite interesting. Nearly all the little stores sell 2 stroke fuel out the front of their shops. Johnny Walker whisky bottles are exceptionally popular, but soft drink or even water bottles will do.
We actually went out into the country side quite a distance, seeing farms and little villages along the way. Occasionally we had to slow down for cattle and dogs to get of the track, but it is most interesting when you meet another train coming towards you on the single track. There is an unwritten law, the train with the least amount of produce (or people if that is all that is on it), must get off. So everyone climbs off, the platform is picked up and the axles removed until the other train passes, then put back together again. On our return we encountered about four heavily laden trains being unloaded of firewood, so there was nothing for it but to get off and walk back the last few hundred metres.
All aboard
Off we go. Notice the driver with his stick.
Workers in the rice fields
Oops. Someone else on the track.
Putting the train back together again.
Overgrown area of the track
Another obstacle
No further than this. But we were nearly back.
Walking the last section
On the medical front, we are waiting for Lee to return from Phnom Penh on the bus. He saw a doctor there yesterday and required an xray. Unfortunately when he went to have it, the machine was broken. It still was not fixed this morning, and he rang the doctor who suggested he attend the hospital, although this would cost considerably more. No choice really. The xray showed a fracture in his wrist and he will need a splint. We'll find out more information when he returns. The other volunteer who was quite sick, is waiting for confirmation of her blood results, but they think she has Dengue Fever AND Salmonella.
Lee should get back around six, then we are off to dinner at the home of one of the workers here. Khmer food is very tasty, without being overly spicy like a lot of Asian dishes.
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