October 28th, 2006 – Tonle Sap Lake tour
Expenses for the day=
Breakfast at Hotel - $0 Included with Hotel
Dinner - $6.00 USD
Paintings (2) - $30.00 USD
Massage 1.5 hours - $10.00 USD
Another breakfast at the hotel this morning and our group leaves for another tour at 9:00 a.m. Today our tour consists of a short drive over to Tonle Sap Lake. What makes it so special is in the wet season the shores expand many miles, I believe it may be as much as 100 miles. It's near its peak right now and it has now begun its cycle of receding in the next few months.
Getting ready to board our boat
Our Boat ride out on the lake starts near a small village with many vendors around as usual.
Tonle Sap Lake tour
Girls are asking us for money as we board the boat.
Tour guide for the day
Tonle Sap Lake tour
Many homes are movable as the lake shore recedes and rises.
Tonle Sap Lake tour
Many homes along the lakes edge.
The lake is near its peak
Homes along the lake
Homes along the lake
Floating livestock
Once we were on our way we could see the many homes that were built on floats that could be moved around as the shore lines come and go. Many of the homes had small gardens growing in front of them and we seen a few pigs being raised out on the water. I would guess they would make a perfect recycling tool for all the fish cleanings that would be otherwise just thrown away.
Homes along the lake
These homes are not movable. It won't be long and they will be high and dry for many months.
Along the lake
We see many children floating around in small saucers.
Out on the lake
The main income would be fishing for these people, more than likely the only income except for maybe a little tourism that comes their way.
Children in saucers
Many children where we board and depart asking for money.
Boarding a larger boat with shops
Once we are a few miles out in the water, we board a larger boat that is made into a few shops for us to visit. There are many other boats around giving the same tour that we are on. They also stop to visit and spend a little money on souvenirs. There is much for sale here including crocodiles if you wished.
Shops on the lake
Shops on the lake
On our way back to shore
Back to shore
Shopping then flight to Bangkok
Our tour ends and we are back at the hotel by 11:30 a.m. We had to gather our entire luggage and put it into one room, our flight back to Bangkok does not leave until later on today. We all gather for lunch in the lobby and decide to take a tuk tuk down to the main area on town. After lunch it was time for a little shopping and then for a long massage. A few paintings caught my eye and after parting with $30.00 USD I was wondering if these pictures will make it back without any damage. I was back at the hotel for our 6:15 p.m. departure to the airport.
It was less than an hour’s flight and after a short delay we arrive in Bangkok just before 10:00 p.m. We then checked back in to the Royal Hotel before going out one more time with my group for a few drinks. It has been interesting to meet new people from the United Kingdom and hopefully I will stay in contact with them in the future.