Our trek to a fishing village outside of Siem Reap began with a 45 minute Tuk Tuk ride to our destination: Tonle Sap Lake.
This lake is the largest fresh water reservoir in the world, expanding to 16,000 square kilometers during monsoon season.
The lake is also known for its extraordinary biodiversity and the fact that people literally live on it: washing, drinking and cooking with the water, and boating to their local market, bar or church.
But we quickly learned to dispel any romantic vision of what life here could be like, as it's apparent that people dwelling here are just barely subsisting amongst very challenging circumstances.
In the course of our two hour tour, we encountered: a fellow offering us to take a photo of his daughter holding a snake; a truly frightening crocodile farm (of some sort); a sobering Catholic mission of orphaned children (for whom we were encouraged to buy food - and did) and boat after boat, including our own, occasionally getting stuck in the dry season-deep water.
All in all, a very sobering but somehow beautiful experience at the same time.
But the beauty clearly ended for me upon our return to dock in total darkness, where the lights along the lengthy and steep ramp returning us to out accustomed comforts brought a hurricane of insects upon us; bidding us a mutual good riddance to this challenging, beautiful and sometimes hostile world.
Love these photos -- especially the first one of you two starting your boat adventure. What wild and unique scenery and happenings you are finding. Hope you are taking lots of photos - -there will be so much to remember. Have a great day!
ReplyDeletelove, mike