Yesterday was full of Temples, today we are going on a long drive to get to Tonlé Sap which translates literally to Fresh River but is commonly known as Great Lake. This is the largest freshwater lake in SE Asia and one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the world.
Heading out at 7:30am, the sun is already blazing.Sandy’s obligatory flower picture. This is a Frangipani tree, so fragrant and beautiful. It has spiritual significance in Hinduism and Buddhism expressing love and appreciation for someone special. After a 30 minute drive on normal roads we ended up on a very bumpy dirt road for the last 45 minutes wondering at one point of being shaken and tossed around if it was going to be worth this ride.Domestic Water Buffalo are used in agriculture primarily for plowing the rice fields before more advanced machinery became available.We finally reached our destination which is the beginning of floating villages that extend well out into the lake. It appears to be a very poor fishing community with a lot of trash.We will be heading out to the lake on one of those long tail boats.
This is a video of our boatman pushing us out into the river. He had to pull the other boat up to get around us as we were blocking his way to the tiller and he was too polite to ask us to move.
The initial structures on land are temporary as this lake goes from three feet deep now to thirty feet during the rainy season. Most of the houses are all floating and will just rise with the river/lake.You can see how we were blocking the boatman’s access to the back.There is no walking to the store or even to your neighbors house although you can swim. Look at how young these boys are motoring the boats by themselves.
Another video of floating village life, some of those structures are stores. These communities live on the water in tiny clusters known as boat communities. They developed due to ethnic and occupational reasons. The people compromising the villages belong to three ethnic groups; Vietnamese, Cham and Khmer and are seen as people without a homeland. They bathe and wash laundry in the water despite the fact that they also flush their toilets into the water.Some of the houses are quite pretty with front porch gardens. One of our highlights was watching the children come out on the porch of their floating home to wave to us. They were so cute but no videos as we felt it was more appropriate to wave back and be in the moment rather than taking pictures.
In this video, our guide is explaining how they protect the kids from drowning. Baby gates and very early swimming lessons.We stopped at this community center where the indigenous community is weaving goods to be sold to us tourists. Again there is absolutely no pressure to purchase but each item has a family’s name that your purchase will support. Sandy could not resist and made a modest purchase of another thing she did not need because it went to a satisfying cause. So there will be many gifts distributed to our family and friends when we get back.😏This is part of the community center, women were preparing a meal on the back porch.
This video shows their fish traps and also how shallow it is with a man standing in the water.
Another video of fishermen walking around in the lake.
In this video we have just veered off into this narrow channel in the sea grass. There are also some egrets flying ahead of us.
Video of Dragonflys swarming our boat.This is a Painted Stork as viewed through a fishing net and at a great distance away, hence a very grainy photo.
Video of Pelicans.
Video of many more Water Buffalo on the edge of the lake as we passed by.Our guide already provided us with coffee and snacks back at the community center. Here we pulled off the river at the boatman’s house and they had a table set for another snack and beer.You can see that we both have cold wet facecloths on our necks which is such a treat to cool our body temp down from this utterly oppressive heat. We should have planned this trip when it was not summertime in SE Asia.The boatman’s wife who helped cater our snack.Saying Lee hi ( goodbye) to our driver who gave us a very nice boat ride on Tonlé Sap Lake.Packing up for the long ride back to our hotel. About five minutes into the drive the boatman came up beside us on a motor scooter as our guide had left something behind.
This evening we have tickets to a local show called The Cambodian Circus. We had no idea what to expect and really would have enjoyed just staying home in our air conditioned villa but glad we did not as we would have missed an amazing talented performance that we will never forget. We invite you to enjoy these videos.
There was a little band and the performers were so talented.
This performer was so strong on the silks.
This one was great on the unicycle.
This guy was crazy good, not on a tight wire but on a saggy rope.
But then watch him ride a unicycle and juggle on that saggy rope.Such amazing agility and incredible body strength. One can’t even imagine how intense the training must be to be able to perform these acts.
Another incredible balancing feat by this man who acted like he was very old, hunched over and a little grey haired.We had so much fun and really enjoyed this show. The cast graciously took this photo with us at the end of the Performance.
Walking back to our villa at night. Listen to the frogs in the rice paddies.
Must say that we are really enjoying Siem Reap Cambodia. We have also experienced some incredible Cambodian food at the resort’s restaurant. Jim especially enjoys all the exotic flavors of their fish sauces, kaffir lime leaves and lemon grass. Fish Amok is one of the best dishes we had. Thai food used to be our favorite but Laos and Cambodia are even better in Jim’s opinion.
I am fascinated with all of your blogs. You are sharing an incredible experience. Each one is exciting. It is a dream and good sharing of it. My little world is expanded by your enthusiastic travels. I send you lots of love. I love the energy which keeps you so alive and young.
Lots of love, Lucy
Hi you 2 intrepid travelers. You guys are doing great coping with the weather. As usual it all looks fascinating. Did a little googling. You are there during the best months. November-April is the dry season. Starts raining May-October.
Never experienced Laos or Cambodian cuisine but if better than Thai must be great. I did really like Vietnamese cooking.
Happy travels
Bill
Sandy and Jim ,
I am so very happy for you both .
Just Living the dream !!! Enjoying all that life has to offer. May I say … You both look marvelous !!!!
Sending you both some love and best wishes . I sincerely love reading your blogs and seeing the world through your eyes.
My very best to you both,
With love,
Janice XXOO
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