Advertisement
Published: February 5th 2006
Edit Blog Post
Schoolboys
Considering the filth around this village and the "grey water", their shirts are bright white freshly washed. Up at 5 am to pack and off an hour later to retrace our steps along the Siem Reap River to the boat dock at the floating fishing village we visited the other day. At this hour the trafic was light and mostly headed the other way with the previous nights catch of fish for the Siem Reap market.
Again, I was struck by the polution and the ankle deep litter of plastic
bags , fruit peelings and god knows what else. We boarded the fast boat and I had a chance to take some pics of the floating market, daily life and children paddling their way to school.
Once underway, we puttered along the winding channel to Tonle Sap Lake, one of the largest in Asia. We then picked up speed, fast enough to flutter the skin on my cheeks, and headed down the middle of the lake. A few fishermen were out there and convoys of cargo boats tied bow to stern.
At the other end of the lake, we entered a long river bordered by more fishing villages. These towns seemed better off than those at the Siem Reap end. Children with smiling faces waved
Off to School
These dugouts have to compete with all the other river traffic. from their parents small craft. I always feared they would be swamped by our wake but they just rocked with the waves and continued their fishing. We slid over countless rows of arisol cans strung out across the river. These floats supported fishing nets suspended in the river, a regular maze to trap the fish.
I don't know how these folk can tell their nets from those of the neighbours. Watching, I saw a few finger-sized fish being hauled into the boat. I fear that with such intense fishing, the resource will soon be depleted.
At Phnom Phen, we left the air conditioned cabin to be hit by the hammer blow of 90+ degree still heat. Our guide was there to meet us and take us to the Amanjaya Hotel.
It is an old French colonial building next door to the Royal Palace. Our room is as long as a bowling alley with a small balcony overlooking the river. It is well- appointed with teak furniture and floor. There is a huge marble bathtub with mirrors on three sides. A little hedonistic for our tastes. Also a large marble shower stall that I don't bump my elbows
Floating School
Another foreign aid project. Playground is the cage on the roof. on while washing. The air conditioning is thankfully, quiet. Somehow though, the place does not live up to the flashy website. It is also missing the finishing touches of our wonderful B&B in Siem Reap.
After a brief repose to freshen up, we were taken for a tour of the Royal Palace grounds. It is quite similar to the one in Bangkok, though on a smaller scale. A quiet retreat amist the hustle and bustle.
Somehow our itinerary does not match that of the guide. We were supposed to have the afternoon to ourselves. Instead, we get a free lunch at Friends, a restaurant used as a training centre for at risk kids. Wonderful food and great service. Supper at a Chinese restaurant also ended up as free. Not knowing where we were going, we got into our car only to be taken half a block.
Our guide and driver were going to wait for us so she could pay for the meal. We sent her home and said she could pay for us the next day. She was very pleased with this arraingement. We have been a bit disappointed that our guides do not dine with
Boat Repair
You wouldn't catch me sticking my big toe in this water. I am suprized that people's skin isn't covered with sores or falling off. us. It would be an excellent opportuntity for us to pick their brains about where we are visiting. I guess they need a break from us.
After supper we walked around the block and found a second-hand bookstore. We were in need of some light reading material for our flight home. I dropped Clo offa at the hotel and went looking for an internet cafe. After going through my emails and checking the Island news I just couldn't take it anymore. Nine thirty in the evening and 85 degrees. Forcast for 95 tomorrow. I retreated to the coolness of the hotel room without making this entry.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.104s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 7; qc: 52; dbt: 0.075s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb