My Cambodian Journey: Sunset at Tonle Sap Lake
We got up after a nice night of rest and began planning for the day. The Tonle Sap Lake was where i wanted to go, knowing it is the largest lake in South East Asia that lies at the heart of Cambodia, and is one of the sources of life to many. We consulted with the hostel staff on the best deal to spend the best time on the lake and they suggested late afternoon for sunset. The tour organized by the hostel was well priced and worth it. It wasn't until 2 pm that we went for the tour so the morning was free and easy where instead of heading towards the Pub Street area, we turned left from the hostel and explored the other part of the city.
Post Office
We walked in the direction to the post office, looking for breakfast. The road was rather empty; the streets less with stalls so we went in to the post office. The functional building was simple and plain. We asked for the price of stamp for postcards and it cost USD 1 each (the same as quoted by the hostel so we asked the hostel to send them for us).
Fried Noodle
We found one decent looking local shop and decided to try. I ordered the Fried Noodle because i really liked the one i had the night i came to Siem Reap. However, this was not as good as that. Oh yes, if i have not mentioned it before, each table in every shop i went has a box of aromatic tissue and tea was complimentary. The tea was different and it was fragrant.
Lucky Shopping Mall
Somehow new, we checked this local, modern shopping mall out- it has air conditioning, especially on a hot day. With the supermarket of the same name, i bought myself a Coca-Cola (Coke), thinking i can taste the difference than those in Malaysia. The thing is, i don't even drink much of Coke in Malaysia. Either way, it was nice looking at their supermarket, drinking my sweet Coke and looking at the Samsung store- the devices were cheaper than in KL. Tempted.
Lunch near Hostel
Just right outside our hostel, there was a local shop so we stopped by for lunch. The waiter recommended us to try the Khmer Egg with Cheese. Came like an omelet, there were pieces of meat in the egg and this dish tasted good. If i have not mentioned before, rice usually comes with the choice of dish ordered and it is refillable.
Floating Village, Kampong Phluk
Then we were on our way to Kampong Phluk- almost one hour of 'tuk tuk' ride from the hostel to the jetty (main road to bumpy, sandy trails). The return 'tuk tuk' cost USD 15 and the driver waited for us while we set sail through the meandering Tonle Sap river. It was USD 15 per person for the longboat. I chose Kampong Phluk to visit the great Tonle Sap Lake because it was less touristy and received better reviews as compared to Chong Kneas. I couldn't agree more; this visit offered more than what i expected.
The longboat moved and i kept on seeing trees and bushes- and i was wondering 'where's the village?'. I saw locals fishing in the river, children playing with mud on the riverbank waved at us, and then the houses on stilts, Kampong Phluk it was. It was felt raw and real; the people living on the stilt houses performed their everyday routine as tourists like us traveled along the river. Some little girls looked at us strangely, as if seeing us was new to them, and then they began to wave. It felt pure, honest and sincere, and not forced or instructed to do so. They smiled naturally; we waved, we smiled back. Sometimes i do believe these little things can make your day- and partly these made this visit so memorable.
Aside from the houses on stilts, we saw a pig shelter on boat, and after witnessing the stunning sunset, we went back the same way in and it was a different routine altogether. We saw men and ladies, boys and girls bathing (of course not naked!) in front of us; the younger kids happily scrubbing their bodies then rinsing themselves with water. I saw mothers washing clothes and fires being lit on firewood. A simple life, yet fulfilling.
Flooded Forest, Kampong Phluk
We were asked if we were interested to get on a sampan and see the flooded forest for USD 5 per person. I thought, having come this far, that we should try. I was glad i did; the tranquility and peacefulness i felt surpassed the price. Despite its low water level, the mangrove trees were still partially submerged and though some parts were more challenging to access, we pulled through (or the rower did since we didn't row). We had an elderly lady rower who does not speak English.
Before reaching the platform, one local began greeting 'Konichiwa' to us. May be we looked like Japanese? We didn't know what to do with the flower. On our way back to our 'tuk tuk', two boys approached us and they pointed at the flowers. We gave it to them and they were happy.
Sunset, Tonle Sap Lake
The climax of the tour. We were early on the lake, the sun was still up and we were expected to wait another hour. Lucky we had one packet of biscuits, we decided to chill on the lazy chair, nibble on the biscuits and watch the sun lowered. Our boat driver went in for a swim. I think one thing i regret now is not swimming in the largest lake in South East Asia, or at least get wet. I was afraid that my body would not get used to the water and i do not want to fall sick while traveling. Slowly, more boats came and parked, like in an open-air cinema, got good spots and waited for the show to begin. The sky was wide; the lake was so big we could see the horizon; everywhere on the lake in this part, the sunset can be seen. Slowly, the sky turned orange. The golden lines of the sun became visible, the sight spectacular, and i could actually watch it set below the horizon. I envied the boat driver to be able to see this sight almost everyday.
As i've said, we went back the same way in, meaning the same 'tuk tuk' ride back, in the dark. It was really dark and rather scary because we were in the middle of the paddy fields with few tourists or locals. We stopped by for a quick toilet break in a dimly lit toilet and i saw one large lizard- i think it was a lizard but it was too big to be one, almost the size of my palm. I was not imagining it. My only concern for this trip was the dark, bumpy and dusty ride back to town. Otherwise, it would have been perfect. We can't have all.
My Cambodian Journey: The Beginning
My Cambodian Journey: A Charming City
My Cambodian Journey: Saddened by History
My Cambodian Journey: A Scenic Ride?
My Cambodian Journey: Bow to the Magnificent Angkor Wat and More
My Cambodian Journey: Sunset at Tonle Sap Lake
My Cambodian Journey: The Next Stop
Post Office
We walked in the direction to the post office, looking for breakfast. The road was rather empty; the streets less with stalls so we went in to the post office. The functional building was simple and plain. We asked for the price of stamp for postcards and it cost USD 1 each (the same as quoted by the hostel so we asked the hostel to send them for us).
Fried Noodle
We found one decent looking local shop and decided to try. I ordered the Fried Noodle because i really liked the one i had the night i came to Siem Reap. However, this was not as good as that. Oh yes, if i have not mentioned it before, each table in every shop i went has a box of aromatic tissue and tea was complimentary. The tea was different and it was fragrant.
The Fried Noodles (USD 2).
Lucky Shopping Mall
Somehow new, we checked this local, modern shopping mall out- it has air conditioning, especially on a hot day. With the supermarket of the same name, i bought myself a Coca-Cola (Coke), thinking i can taste the difference than those in Malaysia. The thing is, i don't even drink much of Coke in Malaysia. Either way, it was nice looking at their supermarket, drinking my sweet Coke and looking at the Samsung store- the devices were cheaper than in KL. Tempted.
With the Coke.
Lunch near Hostel
Just right outside our hostel, there was a local shop so we stopped by for lunch. The waiter recommended us to try the Khmer Egg with Cheese. Came like an omelet, there were pieces of meat in the egg and this dish tasted good. If i have not mentioned before, rice usually comes with the choice of dish ordered and it is refillable.
Egg with the cheese for USD 2.50.
Local soup with banana flower. It has a unique, sourish taste (USD 2.50).
Floating Village, Kampong Phluk
Then we were on our way to Kampong Phluk- almost one hour of 'tuk tuk' ride from the hostel to the jetty (main road to bumpy, sandy trails). The return 'tuk tuk' cost USD 15 and the driver waited for us while we set sail through the meandering Tonle Sap river. It was USD 15 per person for the longboat. I chose Kampong Phluk to visit the great Tonle Sap Lake because it was less touristy and received better reviews as compared to Chong Kneas. I couldn't agree more; this visit offered more than what i expected.
Bumpy ride.
Sky. Stream. Sand. Along the paddy fields.
At the dock, going to board the longboat number 150.
Waiting for fish.
The longboat moved and i kept on seeing trees and bushes- and i was wondering 'where's the village?'. I saw locals fishing in the river, children playing with mud on the riverbank waved at us, and then the houses on stilts, Kampong Phluk it was. It was felt raw and real; the people living on the stilt houses performed their everyday routine as tourists like us traveled along the river. Some little girls looked at us strangely, as if seeing us was new to them, and then they began to wave. It felt pure, honest and sincere, and not forced or instructed to do so. They smiled naturally; we waved, we smiled back. Sometimes i do believe these little things can make your day- and partly these made this visit so memorable.
Children sliding down the mud.
Like this shot of houses on stilts as tall as a tree.
Our longboat driver and his friend. When i asked him his age, he said he was not sure (he looked no older than me). He could mean that he doesn't know his age or he doesn't understand what i'm saying. I think he doesn't know how old he is.
Houses on stilts.
The pink pigs.
Aside from the houses on stilts, we saw a pig shelter on boat, and after witnessing the stunning sunset, we went back the same way in and it was a different routine altogether. We saw men and ladies, boys and girls bathing (of course not naked!) in front of us; the younger kids happily scrubbing their bodies then rinsing themselves with water. I saw mothers washing clothes and fires being lit on firewood. A simple life, yet fulfilling.
Flooded Forest, Kampong Phluk
We were asked if we were interested to get on a sampan and see the flooded forest for USD 5 per person. I thought, having come this far, that we should try. I was glad i did; the tranquility and peacefulness i felt surpassed the price. Despite its low water level, the mangrove trees were still partially submerged and though some parts were more challenging to access, we pulled through (or the rower did since we didn't row). We had an elderly lady rower who does not speak English.
At the start of our tour through the flooded forest.
The serenity of the forest. It was so quiet we could hear the rippled waters and the paddling of our sampan. I liked how the light was reflected on the tree trunks. An ideal set.
From an open space into the forest again.
Our rower was looking up at the trees for something. We didn't know for what.
She stopped at one tree and climbed. Then she handed me this. So nice.
Before reaching the platform, one local began greeting 'Konichiwa' to us. May be we looked like Japanese? We didn't know what to do with the flower. On our way back to our 'tuk tuk', two boys approached us and they pointed at the flowers. We gave it to them and they were happy.
Sunset, Tonle Sap Lake
The climax of the tour. We were early on the lake, the sun was still up and we were expected to wait another hour. Lucky we had one packet of biscuits, we decided to chill on the lazy chair, nibble on the biscuits and watch the sun lowered. Our boat driver went in for a swim. I think one thing i regret now is not swimming in the largest lake in South East Asia, or at least get wet. I was afraid that my body would not get used to the water and i do not want to fall sick while traveling. Slowly, more boats came and parked, like in an open-air cinema, got good spots and waited for the show to begin. The sky was wide; the lake was so big we could see the horizon; everywhere on the lake in this part, the sunset can be seen. Slowly, the sky turned orange. The golden lines of the sun became visible, the sight spectacular, and i could actually watch it set below the horizon. I envied the boat driver to be able to see this sight almost everyday.
Sun's almost setting in the horizon.
The stunning shot of sunset. Really liked this picture. Poetic. Romantic.
Through the sunglasses.
As i've said, we went back the same way in, meaning the same 'tuk tuk' ride back, in the dark. It was really dark and rather scary because we were in the middle of the paddy fields with few tourists or locals. We stopped by for a quick toilet break in a dimly lit toilet and i saw one large lizard- i think it was a lizard but it was too big to be one, almost the size of my palm. I was not imagining it. My only concern for this trip was the dark, bumpy and dusty ride back to town. Otherwise, it would have been perfect. We can't have all.
Had Noodle Soup with Pork, which was rather plain. To be optimistic, it was less salty and oily compared to our other meals to date.
We met up with other university friends who were visiting Siem Reap and had a drink at Pub Street. It was fun meeting up miles away from university.
(Behind us was a group of tourists who randomly joined us in the photo; i should try that next time)
My Cambodian Journey: The Beginning
My Cambodian Journey: A Charming City
My Cambodian Journey: Saddened by History
My Cambodian Journey: A Scenic Ride?
My Cambodian Journey: Bow to the Magnificent Angkor Wat and More
My Cambodian Journey: Sunset at Tonle Sap Lake
My Cambodian Journey: The Next Stop
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