Cambodia: Siem Reap - Day 5 - 19/5

The focus of Day 5, was the Floating Village on Tonle Sap Lake which is the largest fresh water lake in Asia. According to the tour guide, floating village is the poorest region in Cambodia. Those people stay in the village are mainly Cambodian and Vietnamese who run across the border.

Tonle Sap Lake viewed from the plane

On the way to the floating village, we passed by the rural area of Siem Reap. Look at the houses they stay. It is even smaller than the single room I have. But it is true, we saw it by our eyes where the whole family stayed in the little hut with no electricity and fresh water. They were still using battery to generate power.

The houses in the rural area

We were on the boat... Ready to go!

The school on the lake

While the boat was moving (we had not reach the central of the village yet), there was one little boy of around 5 years old rowed towards our boat in his pathetic basin. He managed to hold on to our boat (the boat was still moving!) and refused to let go. He asked for money. I only gave him candies. I am not sure if my friends gave him money or not. But personally I feel we shouldn't because once you give him money, you are encouraging him to do it more oftenly.

Another family who chased after our boat. Our boat was moving so fast using motor but the little girl used her hands to row. She was so skinny. How much strength does she have? Yet she did not give up. Eventually she reached us.

Another one. The brother was trying to sell us soft drinks. Look at the little girl. Do you see the python on her body?

I really felt very bad to see that scene. I did not even dare to go near to her because I was scared of the snake too. So I gave the candies to Wantan and asked him to pass it to the girl. Then Wantan held the candies and stunned for a while. I reminded him about the candies and he told me that he did not know what to do. I believe that everyone on the boat at that time, felt sad for this girl.

The colour of the water in the lake around that region similar to the "Milo" we drink. The people there throw their waste into the water. At the same time, they wash their clothes, rear the fish and cook using the lake water. SIGH.......................

The floating village is a must-go place if you go to Siem Reap. You know how how fortunate you are when you see them. Next time, if you really have chance to go there, please bring along your old clothes which you want to throw away to give to the people there.