Motos and tuk tuks – essential elements of Cambodian Life

Despite being mildly annoyed at times with the near-constant shouts of “Hello Tuk tuk Lady!” (I am not a tuk tuk!) or “You Sir! Hello! Motobike!” (I am not a Sir!) that follow me around wherever I walk – I am still consistently amazed by the vehicles that are the mainstay of daily life here in Cambodia.
Anything and everything that can be transported on a moto will be. Our fridge was transported to the repair shop on a moto.  Laying horizontally in between the two 15 year old helper boys, one driving and the other perched on the back, holding onto the fridge.  Chickens, furniture, appliances, entire families – anything and everything that can, goes on a moto.
If too big or too much for a moto, then a tuk tuk is the next option. Families groups too large for a moto, and upwards to about 20 people share a tuk tuk, large furniture can be strapped to the roof, livestock, you name it!
There are also the moto-“buses” which is kind of the closest thing to public buses. Only it’s not public, it’s private. But it’s communal, and stops along the road to pick people up. I guess that’s where the similarities end (see pic).
There is a helmet law that has been instituted, but I’d say only about 50% of drivers adhere to it. And it only applies to the driver. Not the baby perched on the handlebars, the toddler and child sandwiched between the parents, or the mom and/or grandma perched behind the 4 or 5 other family members.
Oh – that reminds me, this is another way I’m funny. I wear a helmet even when I’m not the one driving! Crazy AND funny, I know.