Tuk-tuk? Many greetings from Cambodia to all our loyal blog visitors! In this clip, we are zooming through the Cambodian countryside towards SE Asia's largest freshwater lake, the Tonle Sap.
To be a little more specific, Tonle Sap is actually a combination of a lake and a river system. This is system is very important to Cambodia because the lake massively floods each year (it swells from a mere 2700 square km to approximately 16000 square km) during the Monsoon (rain season). The flood creates an enormous habitat for countless species of fish to spawn thus providing the Cambodians with a doorstep seafood buffet.
More tuk-tuk action
Yours truly made a short but satisfying excursion on this great UNESCO biosphere to find out how the people survive along and on the water. First of all everything floats on a bamboo trunks that last for about 7 years in the waters. Those that are not fortunate enough to have a floating house (or tiny shack along the river banks) live on very small (not bigger than 5-6 mtr) boats with tiny roofs and no protection whatsoever against the elements.
We have seen mothers with entire flocks of children just floating around trying to make a living by selling fruits and begging. Again a sad situation that slightly improves when the Monsoon sets in and there's fish-a-plenty. What's also striking is that the schools, playgrounds, police, and churches are also floating around on the lake. It is literally an entirely floating village with its own fish, squid, and crocodile farms. A unique place in a unique natural setting but also for many, a very tough life.
From the Tonle Sap, we headed back with our Schumi-aspiring tuk-tuk drivers to Siem Reap. Along the way, however, we visited our Cambodian guide's mother just for fun and to see the different ways people live in Cambodia. They even had their own alligator farm in the backyard. Now that would be something to keep the damn burglars out. Anyway, we have to close this post as we have to get going again to yet another destination. But remember keep coming back because more info can be right around the next corner...
Hi! We are two International Business student graduates who are going on a 190 day (well, approximately) trip around the world. We invite you to come along on this journey which will be part holdiday, adventure, and quest to (re)discover the things that matter in our lives and those of others across the globe. We will try to update this blog as much possible. Please feel free to leave comments, tips, etc: we will try to get back to everyone asap. Many greetings from the "global village"
François & Rachel
To be a little more specific, Tonle Sap is actually a combination of a lake and a river system. This is system is very important to Cambodia because the lake massively floods each year (it swells from a mere 2700 square km to approximately 16000 square km) during the Monsoon (rain season). The flood creates an enormous habitat for countless species of fish to spawn thus providing the Cambodians with a doorstep seafood buffet.
More tuk-tuk action
Yours truly made a short but satisfying excursion on this great UNESCO biosphere to find out how the people survive along and on the water. First of all everything floats on a bamboo trunks that last for about 7 years in the waters. Those that are not fortunate enough to have a floating house (or tiny shack along the river banks) live on very small (not bigger than 5-6 mtr) boats with tiny roofs and no protection whatsoever against the elements. 
We have seen mothers with entire flocks of children just floating around trying to make a living by selling fruits and begging. Again a sad situation that slightly improves when the Monsoon sets in and there's fish-a-plenty. What's also striking is that the schools, playgrounds, police, and churches are also floating around on the lake. It is literally an entirely floating village with its own fish, squid, and crocodile farms. A unique place in a unique natural setting but also for many, a very tough life.
From the Tonle Sap, we headed back with our Schumi-aspiring tuk-tuk drivers to Siem Reap. Along the way, however, we visited our Cambodian guide's mother just for fun and to see the different ways people live in Cambodia. They even had their own alligator farm in the backyard. Now that would be something to keep the damn burglars out. Anyway, we have to close this post as we have to get going again to yet another destination. But remember keep coming back because more info can be right around the next corner...
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