March 22nd, 2007
For an extra $5, our drivers gave us the deluxe package, taking us to Banteay Srei (28km away) and the Chong Khneas floating villages along Tonle Sap Lake (15km away). This extended ride along bumpy gravel roads into the countryside was probably the most eye-opening and humbling experience we’ve had by far. The way of life among the poorest of poor was immediately in front of us, hitting from all angles…
…aC's idea to stop along the road to give away some goods was great, although met with several heards of kids who swarmed us like fleas! The shampoos, body creams, kleenex and pens/papers (courtesy of the Sofitel) were all happily accepted like money.....they pushed and grabbed for everything within arms reach....it was survival of the fittest, to say the least!
After some Vietnamese food at Soup Dragon, we headed towards Tonle Sap Lake. Well, the Lonely planet sure didn’t tell us that the so-called government run boat tours charge a mandatory $20/person fee. This may have been some scam, but at the time, there weren’t many other options (our book quoated $6-$10).
The boat ride was a great opportunity to see a different way of life and livelihood for locals, set more along the outskirts of a river and extending into the lakeside. Fishing was life, and living in a small boat among hundreds of others was all that existed. As Mr. Cambodian rapper ‘fifty-cent’ powered off the engine to give us a break, our boat was quickly invaded by about 6 rafts, each loaded with young children (and all their fruits and refreshments for sale). Initially the sight of these 'pirates' frantically paddling towards us was intimidating, but we quickly realized there was a race to make 1st contact and a sale to any tourist.
Like previous nites, our lonely planet told us to check out the Dead Fish. (I haven't been to many restaurants where piles of live crocodiles are sitting near the 'wc'!"
For an extra $5, our drivers gave us the deluxe package, taking us to Banteay Srei (28km away) and the Chong Khneas floating villages along Tonle Sap Lake (15km away). This extended ride along bumpy gravel roads into the countryside was probably the most eye-opening and humbling experience we’ve had by far. The way of life among the poorest of poor was immediately in front of us, hitting from all angles…
…aC's idea to stop along the road to give away some goods was great, although met with several heards of kids who swarmed us like fleas! The shampoos, body creams, kleenex and pens/papers (courtesy of the Sofitel) were all happily accepted like money.....they pushed and grabbed for everything within arms reach....it was survival of the fittest, to say the least!
After some Vietnamese food at Soup Dragon, we headed towards Tonle Sap Lake. Well, the Lonely planet sure didn’t tell us that the so-called government run boat tours charge a mandatory $20/person fee. This may have been some scam, but at the time, there weren’t many other options (our book quoated $6-$10).
The boat ride was a great opportunity to see a different way of life and livelihood for locals, set more along the outskirts of a river and extending into the lakeside. Fishing was life, and living in a small boat among hundreds of others was all that existed. As Mr. Cambodian rapper ‘fifty-cent’ powered off the engine to give us a break, our boat was quickly invaded by about 6 rafts, each loaded with young children (and all their fruits and refreshments for sale). Initially the sight of these 'pirates' frantically paddling towards us was intimidating, but we quickly realized there was a race to make 1st contact and a sale to any tourist.
Like previous nites, our lonely planet told us to check out the Dead Fish. (I haven't been to many restaurants where piles of live crocodiles are sitting near the 'wc'!"
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