Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, can be difficult to maneuver in the rain season.
I've been living in Southeast Asia for over 4 years now and have experienced a few heavy rain seasons in Bali and Jakarta, Indonesia. The rain comes down hard and heavy there, but it usually only lasts 1 to maybe 3 hours. There are exceptions when it rains all day, but that's quite rare.
This year I have the pleasure of experiencing 2 rain seasons in one year. In Bali, the rain season begins around the middle of November and ends towards the end of March.
I enjoyed the rain season in Bali until I left in February 2022 to explore Singapore and then Cambodia. It didn't take me long to decide on Cambodia, and Phnom Penh City as my new work- and playground.
At first Phnom Penh seemed chaotic, however, after 1 month of getting used to it and learning the ropes, I've come to love the city.
The rain season starts in Cambodia in June, so I'm told. However, May has already seen a lot of rainy days. When it rains here, it pours, and it goes on for hours on end.
The first problem I noticed was that the food delivery motorbike riders weren't available, which meant no food.
The next was the tuk-tuk's and taxi services stopped, rendering you stuck where you were.
The problem, like in so many Southeast Asian cities, is the drainage system. Old systems, poorly built decades ago, simply can't handle the vast increase in the population and tourists visiting.
Many major and small roads remain flooded for several hours.
The best is yet to come for me, so I'm told.
It's going to be a long 4 month rain season experience here in Phnom Penh, from June until October.
Rob Hourmont
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