[Siem Reap, Cambodia] Tonle Sap Lake and floating villages [Tourism]

#sightseeing
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📍Tonle Sap Lake (ទន្លេសាប), Kampung Phluuk (កំពង់ភ្លុក)
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📍Tonle Sap Lake
Lake Tonle Sap is the largest lake in Southeast Asia, located about 10km south of Siem Reap.
It has contributed greatly to the development of the surrounding area since the Khmer Dynasty.

Its biggest feature is that the size of the lake changes between the dry and rainy seasons.
Because it is connected to the great Mekong River through the Tonle Sap River, in the rainy season when the water volume increases, the water from the Mekong flows back and becomes three times the volume of the dry season. 🐟
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In order to cope with the water level changing by nearly 10m between the dry season and the rainy season, people living around Tonle Sap Lake prepare for the rising water by building their houses on stilts.

There are many "floating villages" around Tonle Sap Lake, where such stilt houses are gathered. 🛖
In the larger villages, in addition to shops, some have stilt schools and hospitals!
It is said that there are 1 million floating residents in Cambodia.
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📍Kampong Phluk
A "floating village" located about 30km from Siem Reap, halfway between Beng Mealea and Siem Reap.

During the rainy season (late May to late October), the water level rises and the villagers travel by boat and go out fishing. Every household has at least one small boat, and I was surprised to see a child of about elementary school age operating it by himself 🚣♀️
You can see various boats coming and going and people's lives on the water.

On the other hand, during the dry season (early November to mid-May), the water level drops and the ground is exposed in some places.
Since tourism and fishing are in the off-season, boat tours are fewer, but you can enjoy sightseeing on a small boat, which may give you a sense of realism.

The village also has a floating restaurant and a shop. The owner of the restaurant we stopped at has a side job of raising crocodiles he catches around the area and selling them when they grow up🐊
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After leaving the village by boat, we arrived at Tonle Sap Lake.
It was just dusk, so there were many boats out, both tourists and locals.
The sun setting on the horizon was truly fantastic☻

After watching the sunset, the afterglow lingered even as we left the village at dusk, and it was a very luxurious time.

A boat is essential for the tour.

Since we were on a tour, the guide made a reservation for us in advance.

Tickets are also available for purchase on the day at the ticket center (Google Maps: Tonle Sap River and Lake Boat Cruise Ticket Counter).

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〖🇰🇭Travel Record〗

✎Area: Siem Reap (Cambodia)

✎Visit Date: November 2023

✎Purpose: Travel

#Cambodia #Siem Reap #Angkor Wat #Cambodia Travel #World Heritage Site #Sightseeing #Tour #Tonle Sap Lake #Kampong Phluk #Kampong Phluk